A Central Otago District Council Cromwell ward candidate is asking voters not to vote for him after a change in circumstances.
Terry Davis intended to run for the Cromwell ward in the local elections but said due to a change in his personal situation he felt he was unable to give full effort to the role.
"I apologise for mucking you around. Please do not vote for me," Mr Davis said in a social media post on Monday.
Mr Davis was unable to be removed from the election as nominations had already closed.
Central Otago District Council electoral officer Anthony Morton said after nominations had closed, candidates could only be withdrawn from an election if they died, became incapacitated or were found to be invalidly nominated.
In legislation, incapacitation means because of serious illness or injury a candidate would be "unlikely to be capable of performing the functions and duties of office if elected to the office", he said.
Postal votes were sent this week and the successful candidates will be announced on October 11. There are now eight candidates running for the Cromwell ward, with four seats available.
