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Voters encouraged to respond

Tuesday 29 May 2012, 7:22PM

By Manawatu District Council

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MANAWATU-WHANGANUI

ELIGIBLE voters are encouraged to make their vote count in the Manawatu District Council’s Feilding Ward by-election.

With only eight days left before postal voting closes at noon on Wednesday, June 6, a total of 2137 voting papers (20.55 percent) have been returned, with ratepayers being urged to allow plenty of time to meet the deadline.

Seven candidates – Russell Johnson, Shane Casey, Kim Fenn, Jeanette Goodwin, Grant Hadfield, Wayne Ellery and Ange Jury – are vying for the seat following the election of Margaret Kouvelis as Manawatu District Mayor.

Deputy Electoral Officer Janine Hawthorn said she was not confident of this by-election drawing as big a response as the mayoral by-election but was hoping for a return that was more than the national average of 30 percent.

Voting papers have been distributed to about 10,400 voters who reside or have property within the ward, which largely comprises the built-up business and residential areas of Feilding.

Mrs Hawthorn encouraged voters to ensure their papers were returned in time, taking into account that Monday was a public holiday and any late posting may not guarantee their vote being counted.

Anyone who has not received their voting forms are asked to call into the MDC office in Manchester Street, Feilding, or contact council on 323-0000 to arrange a special vote.