Votes against adopting explosive candidates (8)
I believe the answer is:
nominees
'candidates' is the definition.
('nominee' can be a synonym of 'candidate')
'votes against adopting explosive' is the wordplay.
'votes against' becomes 'noes' ('no' votes).
'adopting' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are taken on or adopted).
'explosive' becomes 'mine' (e.g. a landmine).
'noes' placed around 'mine' is 'NOMINEES'.
(Other definitions for nominees that I've seen before include "Announced candidates" , "Candidates for election" , "runners" .)