HURSTVILLE Labor councillor Vince Badalati has an explanation for the election posters of himself and Shirley Huang (pictured).
No, Ms Huang is not running in the local government elections on September 8. But she was going to until forced out by a technicality at more or less the last minute.
Cr Badalati said Ms Huang was number three on the Labor ticket for Hurstville ward but because of some confusion over the electoral forms issued by the council — regarding who could nominate a candidate — she could have been challenged if she had won.
"While the council said her nomination was valid, she most likely would have lost the challenge in which case there would have been a by-election," Cr Badalati said.
"She did not want to cause the council that expense." Mr Badalati said the posters were printed before Ms Huang pulled out but he would make sure they were removed as soon as possible.
- Sam Almaliki, initially number two on Mr Badalati's ticket, withdrew last week for the same reason as Ms Huang.
"I was advised that I could still contest the election, but would most likely be challenged by opponents," Mr Almaliki said.
"With the possibility of a by-election, I felt the right thing to do was to save ratepayers the cost and inconvenience of this prospect. With that consideration alone, I came to the firm view that it was best that I withdraw my nomination. It is unfortunate, but it is the right thing to do."