8 August 2008

More than 1000 candidates have lodged their nomination to contest the 2008 local government elections across New South Wales, with the number expected to rise sharply over the next few days.

More than 5,000 candidates stood for local council elections in 2004. Nominations opened on Monday 4 August and close at midday next Wednesday, 13 August.

NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry said the nomination process was akin to the Golden Slipper.

“If you don’t meet the deadline then unfortunately you can’t run the race. We’re expecting a strong field and hopefully not too many late scratchings,” he said.

“To avoid any problems with the nomination, my advice to candidates is to lodge as early as possible. A candidate must be properly enrolled in the council they wish to represent and must be nominated by at least two people who are correctly enrolled in the same council area.

“We don’t want people putting their names forward at two minutes to midday, only to find that their nominators are incorrectly enrolled.”

As of midday, strong nominations had been received by Returning Officers in:

· Newcastle City Council (31)

· Campbelltown City Council (29)

· Manly Council (29)

· Blacktown City Council (28)

· Fairfield City Council (27)

· Albury City Council (22)

· Blue Mountains City Council (21)

· Auburn Council (20)

Candidate names are published live on the NSWEC’s website as they are accepted. Visit the Council Index page through the Homepage or Media Centre links.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.elections.nsw.gov.au and candidates can call the Elector Enquiry Centre on 1300 135 736 for further information.

Media Contact: Adrian Kerr, NSW Electoral Commission

(02) 9290 5954 adrian.kerr@elections.nsw.gov.au