Fears that Griffith's council election could be postponed for a third time are growing as COVID-19 cases continue to spread across the state.
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NSW local government elections are currently set to take place on December 4, after being postponed 12 months last year and a further three months earlier this year.
With the COVID-19 outbreak far from over, Griffith mayor John Dal Broi believes there is a chance the election could be pushed back even longer.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they were pushed out for another couple of months and into the new year," Cr Dal Broi said.
"But at this stage until we at council hear anything different we're working towards December 4."
The concerns over the election have resulted in calls for it to be shifted to a postal vote, however the NSW Electoral Commission has stated it is too late for such a significant change.
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Speaking at a Parliamentary hearing this month, NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt said there is "a real likelihood" the elections could fail if not enough people are able to vote.
"If people fail to turn out there is no minimum requirement for the number of people to vote at a particular election but whether that would be a legitimate election would be a matter for others to consider," Mr Schmidt said.
The prospect of a delay is daunting for election hopefuls as it could mean their terms are far shorter than usual if the 2024 election goes ahead as planned.
Griffith resident Ricky Chugha already had his election campaign derailed by last year's deferral and says another delay would be frustrating.
"Public health is obviously more important at this stage but it is frustrating when the election is delayed," Mr Chugha said.
"Because we know it has already been delayed for a year and if it is delayed for another six months does that mean the next term for councillors will be less than three years?"
Mr Chugha felt giving the new councillors such a short term would be a challenge as they wouldn't have enough time to adapt to the system.
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