Candidates leaving it to last minute

With only three days to go until local body election nominations close, there are still spots on the Otago Regional Council's Dunedin constituency to fill.

While all the Dunedin councillors confirmed they would be standing again, only four of the six have submitted their nominations - councillors Gretchen Robertson, Louise Croot, Sam Neill and Trevor Kempton.

Electoral officer Pam Jordan said during the most recent elections in 2010 about half of the nominees left it until the last week to confirm their nominations.

There was a strict deadline for nominations of noon on Friday, she said.

This election was the first time there were positions for three Dunstan councillors and also the first time since the regional council formed that Cr Duncan Butcher was not standing in that area.

It was proving a popular constituency. Four new candidates had been nominated, including Chris Pascoe, of Alexandra, yesterday.

As of yesterday, incumbent Cr Gerry Eckhoff had yet to put in his nomination.

Unless more nominations come in for the Moeraki and Molyneaux constituencies, councillors Doug Brown, David Shepherd and chairman Stephen Woodhead could be re-elected unopposed.

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

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