Media Release
15 January 2003

Otara Residents Have An Opportunity To Voice Their Choice

All registered electors in the Otara ward of Manukau will have received their voting papers for the Community Board by-election by now.

They have until 12 noon on Tuesday 4 February to return them to Council. It is a postal vote with a reply paid envelope supplied with the voting paper.

“As it is a postal vote people should be aware that if they have not mailed their papers by Saturday 1 February there is a chance they may not be received in time to count,” said Electoral Officer John Skelton.

“If votes do not reach the electoral officer by 12 noon on Tuesday the 4th for whatever reason they will not be counted so it is essential for people to send their votes in early”.

“The Community Board fulfils an important role in the way a community develops, the way it looks and the decisions that are made about its future, because of this, residents should take the opportunity to have their say on who represents them”.

If people who believe they are eligible have not received their voting papers they still have the ability to vote. They must first register at any Postshop and then they can come into the Civic Centre on a working day and cast a special vote.

“We have had comments from people who believe you have to be a ratepayer to vote. This not the case if you are eligible to vote in an election and are a resident within the Otara ward you can have a say on how your Community Board is made up” said Mr Skelton.

ENDS

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