Nominations for the byelection in Whangarei's Denby ward close tomorrow, but so far no valid nominations have been received.
The byelection was triggered after councillor Jayne Golightly resigned when she learned less than a year into her tenure she is not a New Zealand citizen.
Thebyelection will be held on December 7, and cost about $35,000, electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said.
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Ofsoske saidthe single nomiantion received was sent back because a nominator did not live in the district.
If no nominations were received by noon tomorrow, under the Local Electoral Act nominations would be called for again. If only one nomination was received that person would be elected unopposed.
Ofsoske said a councillor resigning after election because they were not a NZ citizen was a very rare occurrence.
Golightly said she had offered to pay the costs of the byelection but was unable to do so. Ofsoske confirmed this was the case as a byelection had to be funded by the relevant council, not a potential candidate.
Ofsoske said concerns were raised with him about Golightly's citizenship and he immediately contacted her to clear the matter up.
Golightly told the Northern Advocate she had since applied for citizenship and was hoping to get it fast-tracked so she could stand in the byelection.
The Advocate has been unable to contact Golightly to confirm if this has happened. A complaint laid with police over Golightly's actions, in effect alleging electoral fraud, is still being dealt with.
Nominations must be received in the post by Election Services or handed to the council at Forum North, Whangarei, by noon tomorrow.