Nominations open tomorrow for local government candidates

Now is your chance to give local politics a go and have a say in the future of your city. 
 
Nominations for candidates wishing to stand in this year’s local authority elections open tomorrow (Friday 15 July 2016).
 
Invercargill Electoral Officer Graham Low said anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for the Invercargill City Council, the Invercargill Licensing Trust, the Bluff Community Board, the Bluff Community Pool Trust and the Southland Regional Council should get their nominations in from tomorrow.
 
Nominations close at noon on Friday, August 12.
 
“We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the local community to stand.  After all, local government and local democracy are fundamental to our society giving the opportunity for everyone’s voice to be heard.  Mayors and councillors exercise a leadership role in our towns, cities and regions and represent the views of the community.”
 
“Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and were enrolled on the electoral roll,” Mr Low said.
 
Mr Low said nominations for candidates must be received by noon on August 12 at either the Invercargill City Council, Civic Administration Building, 101 Esk Street, Invercargill or the Bluff Service Centre, 94 Gore Street, Bluff.
 
Each candidate must be nominated on the nomination paper which is available from the Invercargill City Council office and the Bluff Service Centre.
 
Nominations must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 (GST inclusive).  He also advised that anyone wishing to vote should make sure that they were on the Invercargill Electoral Roll.
 
“You must be enrolled by August 12, to ensure that voting papers are sent to you.  For those who are not enrolled you can fill out the enrolment forms online or at any New Zealand Post outlet.”
 
Voting papers will be sent out from September 16 and must be mailed back to the Council by midday on Election Day, October 8. 
 
For further information on standing as a candidate visit your Council’s website www.icc.govt.nz or www.lgnz.co.nz.