A case of mistaken identity has a councillor on the Clutha District Council being mistaken for another candidate running in a different ward.
Long-standing councillor for the Kaitangata-Matau ward Bruce Graham, of Lovells Flat, has been successfully re-elected for his position on the council in his ward after being unchallenged.
His namesake is running in the Balclutha ward and is up against seven candidates for one of four positions.
Cr Graham contacted the Otago Daily Times to say several people had called him to tell him they were "voting for him", which concerned him.
"They’re not actually [voting for me] ... I’m worried people aren’t voting for who they think they are."
He said people might not vote for the other Mr Graham, thinking the votes were for him.
"I’d hate for him to lose votes from people who don’t like me."
To add further confusion, both men share the same middle initial.
Cr Graham’s middle name is Rodger, while Mr Graham’s middle name is Robert.
"I think people just breeze over it when they read it in the paper," Cr Graham said.
Mr Graham said that he was surprised some people were confusing him with Cr Graham.
However, he was aware there had been confusion in the past, which was why he always tried to make it clear in his public statements who he was and what it was that differentiated him from Cr Graham.
Mr Graham said he had also written "letters to the editor" in the past which made the difference clear, and had made other efforts to avoid confusion.
"I’ve always been aware and taken steps to avoid confusion."
