Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council candidate Gil Kelly has welcomed a decision by the Electoral Commission to accept the nomination of a group of Gundagai-based candidates, headed up by former Gundagai Shire mayor Abb McAlister.
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The group was originally excluded from Friday’s ballot draw due to an apparent error with the witness section of their nomination paperwork.
“Council needs equal representation from the whole Local Government Area, not just from one part of the new merged council area, so I’m very happy with the decision to include the nominees who were excluded from the initial ballot draw,” Mr Kelly said.
He recognised that the inclusion of extra candidates on the ballot paper will make his desire to be elected and represent the interests of the people of Cootamundra, Gundagai and all villages that much harder.
However, Mr Kelly went on to say that he is prepared to ensure he does all he can over the coming weeks to secure people’s votes, if they indeed believe he deserves a seat at the council table.
With residents experiencing above and below the line voting for the first time at local election level this time around, Mr Kelly is of the opinion it is in the electorate’s best interests if voters select individuals below the line, who they think can best represent the community as a whole.
Mr Kelly has been in contact with all nominees from the Gundagai group congratulating them on the Electoral Commission reversal and wishing them luck on September 9.
