With the ink barely dry on the election results, Central Otago residents can look forward to more campaigning with two by-elections likely next year.
They are to fill vacancies in the Roxburgh Community Board and the Earnscleugh-Manuherikia ward of the Central Otago District Council.
The incoming mayor of Central Otago, Tony Lepper, was elected unopposed as one of two Earnscleugh-Manuherikia ward representatives on the council, but will now vacate that seat.
Three nominations were received for the four places on the Roxburgh board.
Chairman Stephen Jeffery and members Cliff Parker and Helen Pinder were re-elected unopposed and a by-election will be required to find a fourth board member.
"Following the processes we have to go through, the earliest we can call for nominations will be November 20, and the earliest we can hold the elections will be mid-February," Central Otago election officer Kara Leckie said yesterday.
"Under the legislation, and going through the correct protocols, that's the earliest we can do things."
The first meeting of the council will be on October 27.
The line-up is the same as for the past term, with one change: Martin McPherson replaces Lynley Claridge, who stepped down.
