Nominations are now being called for the Willoughby City Council (Sailors Bay Ward) by-election to be held on Saturday, 2 May 2009. Candidates will have until 12 noon on Wednesday, 1 April to lodge their nominations.

“The nomination process is one of the most important phases of the electoral cycle.

This is when the community learns exactly who will stand to represent them on their local council,” said NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry.

Mr Barry said that to be eligible to nominate, a candidate must be enrolled in Willoughby City Council and must be nominated by two other electors.

“All candidates must ensure that their nominators are enrolled in Sailors Bay Ward of Willoughby City Council and nominators should check their own enrolment status.”

“We suggest that candidates are proposed by more than two nominators in case some nominators are not correctly enrolled.”

Postal voting:

Postal vote applications will be accepted up until 5.00pm on Monday, 27 April.

Pre-poll voting:

Pre-polling will commence on Monday, 20 March and close at 6.00pm on Friday, 1 May at the Aboriginal Heritage Office, Suite 39/137-145, Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge. Pre-poll voting is not available at the Council Chambers at Chatswood.

Voting on Saturday, 2 May is compulsory for all residents on the electoral roll.

Further information about the by-election is available at www.elections.nsw.gov.au.

Media Contact: Richard Carroll, NSWEC Corporate Communications

(02) 9290 5936 richard.carroll@elections.nsw.gov.au