9 August 2013

Elections 2013: One week left for nominations

Nominations for the Christchurch local body elections close in one week, and Electoral Officer Clare Sullivan is encouraging candidates to get their nominations in.

The nomination tally stands at 52:
• Five nominations for Mayor.
• 22 nominations for Councillor.
• 25 nominations for Community Board member.

A list of received nominations can be found at www.ccc.govt.nz/elections and is updated daily. There are 54 positions available – one Mayor, 13 Councillors and 40 Community Board members.

Ms Sullivan says although nominations are starting to come in at a faster rate from across the city, the Akaroa–Wairewa, Lyttelton–Mt Herbert and Shirley–Papanui Community Boards will likely require more candidates if they are to avoid by-elections.

“The Akaroa–Wairewa Community Board needs members in both the Akaroa and the Wairewa subdivisions. We currently have two nominations for the Akaroa subdivision, and none for the Wairewa subdivision. The Akaroa subdivision needs three members, and Wairewa needs two. If we get those required nominations, I’ll simply be declaring the nominees elected. Likewise, the Shirley–Papanui Community Board currently has no nominations. If we don’t get the required number in these wards, we’ll need to hold a by-election in early 2014.

“If you have perspective, leadership skills and a strong commitment to Banks Peninsula, you should consider standing for the Community Boards,” Ms Sullivan says. “If you’re entertaining the idea at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, or a currently serving Community Board member, to discuss the nature of the role and how it lets you build supportive, connected communities.”

The 2010 elections garnered 160 nominations.

Nominations close at noon on Friday 16 August. Anyone who is a New Zealand citizen, aged over 18 years and enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll is eligible to stand as an electoral candidate. They must be nominated by two people, both of whom must be over 18 years old and enrolled to vote in the area in which their nominee wants to stand. They must also pay a $200 deposit, with internet payment available for 2013. Nomination forms are available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/elections, and from the Council’s Civic Offices and service centres. Completed forms must be handed into the Council’s Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.

For more information about the local body elections, please visit www.ccc.govt.nz/elections

ENDS

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