Low turnout at candidate info evening

Ray Cleaver | 22nd July 2010

A SPECIAL candidate information seminar attracted only a handful of attendees on Monday.
Organised by the Taranaki Electoral office, the seminar was hosted by the Stratford District Council and was intended to provide important information to those interested in running for the Stratford District Council, the Taranaki Regional Council and the Taranaki District Health Board.
Other than staff and organisation representatives, only four people attended the meeting; a marked decrease on the 20-plus who attended a similar seminar three years ago.
While the number seems small, electoral officer, Barry Rollo says that, as a proportion of the population of the local district, it was higher than those attending at similar events in New Plymouth and South Taranaki.
He also said that the turnout at New Plymouth was higher than it had been there in the past, while it was down on previous years in South Taranaki.
Attendance was not compulsory for people interested in running for the two councils, or the board.
Nominations for all local council and district health board elections in New Zealand open this Friday. They will be closing on August 20.
The Registrar of Electors is urging people to make sure they are enrolled.