The by-election was called after Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, resigned last month as MP for Clacton-on-Sea.But his surprise move amid a probe into his finances has threatened to backfire as none of the major political parties has fielded a candidate, denouncing Farage's gamble as a stunt.Count Binface, a self-described "intergalactic space warrior and leader of the Recyclons" from Sigma IX, has now emerged as his main competition.What is happening?Farage was elected in 2024 -- on his eighth attempt -- winning by 46 percent with 21,225 votes.But he resigned as MP on July 8 amid a probe by the parliamentary sleaze watchdog into his finances.With typical showmanship, Farage, 62, said he would seek re-election in the ensuing by-election, pitching the vote as a "people versus the establishment by-election" fight.Clacton, a seaside resort in eastern Essex that voted overwhelmingly for Brexit in the 2016 referendum, is expected to re-elect Farage by a large majority, according to polls.But Count Binface, who dresses with a grey dustbin over his head wearing a cape and silver armour, could snatch a fifth of the votes, according to a Survation poll.A total of 34 candidates are running, local authorities have confirmed -- the highest number of any UK parliamentary election. Most are standing as independents.The ballot paper will be nearly a metre long, presenting a challenge for the local authorities, with some 78,245 eligible voters.Why is Farage in spotlight?By-elections are triggered by the resignation, death or conviction of the sitting MP.Before resigning, Farage had been facing growing scrutiny over the non-disclosure of gifts -- including a £5 million ($6.6 million) donation from crypto-currency billionaire Christopher Harborne and non-declared financial support from convicted fraudster George Cottrell.