THERE are seven candidates for Town Ward in the Shire of Northam local government elections on October 17.

The three sitting councillors have all renominated – Shire President Councillor Steve Pollard, Deputy President Cr Laurie Glass and Cr Gill Beazley – while three of the other four nominees are former councillors on the Town of Northam.

They are Denis Beresford, Des Hughes and Stan Malinowski.

Chantelle D’Ascenzo is the only new candidate.

When nominations closed at 4pm on Thursday, only one nomination had been received in both the Central and West Wards.

Returning officer Nikki Armstrong declared sitting councillors Ulo Rumjantsev and Terry Little re-elected.

Ms Armstrong also conducted the draw for positions on the ballot paper.

Ms D’Ascenzo drew top position followed by Mr Beresford, Mrs Beazley, Mr Hughes, Mr Glass, Mr Pollard and Mr Malinowski.

Candidates quizzed Ms Armstrong on the operation of the first-past-the-post voting system.

She said that generally a vote would be valid if the voter’s intentions were clear.

“Ticks are the way to mark the paper and up to three ticks would be a valid vote while four ticks would render the vote invalid,” Ms Armstrong said.

“A mixture of ticks and crosses would also be invalid.”

At the close of nominations in the Shire of Tammin there were five candidates for three four-year vacancies.

A draw for order on the ballot paper resulted in the following positions: Scott Uppill, Michael Greenwood (sitting councillor), Danny Martin, Stephen Jefferies (sitting councillor), Margaret Wheeldon (sitting councillor).