The local government elections were held six weeks ago, but some Central Otago voters will be able to exercise their democratic rights again shortly, with two by-elections looming.
Nominations opened yesterday for a place on the Roxburgh Community Board and for a vacancy in the Earnscleugh Manuherikia ward of the Central Otago District Council.
Sitting Roxburgh board members Stephen Jeffery, Cliff Parker, Helen Pinder and John Lane were re-elected unopposed but there were insufficient candidates to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of John Kerr.
The election of Tony Lepper as Central Otago mayor left a vacancy on the district council. Mr Lepper had also stood as a councillor in the Earnscleugh Manuherikia ward and was re-elected unopposed.
Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election, as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and on the electoral roll. They must be nominated by two people who live in the ward.
Nominations close at noon on December 22.
If an election is required, voting papers will be sent out from January 19 and must be returned by noon, February 10.
