Horsham council chief executive Peter Brown said only eight potentially eligible candidates attended a Victorian Electoral Commission briefing on Wednesday night.

“We really want more people to put up their hand,” he said.

“Horsham usually has strong councils and that is because voters have been able to pick from a wide and strong field of candidates.”

Nominations for all Victoria’s council elections opened on Thursday for the ballot on October 22.

Potential candidates have until September 20 to put their names forward.

“It’s a very small window of opportunity,” Mr Brown said.

If the number of candidates matches the number of vacancies, the Horsham election will be cancelled and all those who stood appointed to council

Horsham council has seven seats up for election next month and Mr Brown said he couldn’t count on all the eight potential candidates from Wednesday’s session to finish the nomination process.

Brown the perceived level of community interest in running for council seemed lower this year.

“I’m disappointed that we only had eight people attend the information session,” he said.

“I’m concerned that we might not have a strong field of candidates and even those eight people might not stand and we have seven vacancies.

“It would be a major disappointment to this community if we didn’t end of electing a strong council.” 

If there are less than the minimum number of candidates nominated, there will be a by-election to fill the remaining vacancies. 

“In the past we have had fields of 13 to 14 candidates,” Mr Brown said.

“Ideally you have a number greater than ten standing.”

Mr Brown said that perhaps people were feeling a bit complacent with how council had been running but he said the Wimmera faced challenges in the future.

“There hasn’t been a lot of discussion in the community about the election, not that I’ve heard.

“The Wimmera is in a difficult time. We need to be well led into the future because there are some challenges for our farming community and all out communities so we need a strong council.”

The election will be held on October 22 via postal ballots and nominations will be open from September 15 to 20.

Ballots addressed to individual enrolled voters will be mailed out in early October.

Ratepayers and rental tenants enrolled to vote in Victoria will be required to cast their ballot.

State legislation now requires the electoral commission to leave out candidate’s preferences from ballot letters.

Council candidates can still use their own campaigns to indicate to voters where their preferences will go.

Horsham Rural City Mayor Heather Phillips and Cr Mark Radford said last month that they would stand again for council.

Cr Robin Barber said he would not seek another term.

Potential candidates can find out more by phoning 1300 586 069 or visiting the electoral commission or Municipal Association of Victoria websites.