Choose to start something shocking (5)

I believe the answer is:

elect

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'choose' is the definition.
(I know that elect is a more specific form of the action choose)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elect that I've seen before include "Appoint through ballot" , "Bring to office" , "Chosen, singled out" , "Choose by voting" , "Choose by ballot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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