A third of eligible voters have returned their voting forms in the Ashburton and Selwyn local body elections.

Ashburton voting looks set for its lowest turnout in the last four elections.

Ashburton vote returns were only at 36%, as of October 9, compared to being at least 44% at the same time in the previous three elections.

The voter returns were 50.62% in 2022.

In Selwyn, voter numbers look set to be on par with previous years, averaging 42.95% across the last three elections.

Just over one third (35.12%) of eligible voters had cast their vote as of Thursday, similar to the 35.26% at the same point in the 2022 election.

Selwyn had a late surge of votes, with 5% returned on Thursday, with Ashburton hoping for a similar late surge in the collection bins.

Once voting closes at noon on Saturday, progress results are expected to be released by from around 2pm.

Ashburton could know who its new mayor is at that stage, but the provisional results,which include all ordinary votes but not all special votes, are expected on Monday and the final result will be released on Thursday.

Some councils will expect to have the new mayor-elect, if it is clear-cut enough, to start work on Monday.

Ashburton plans to informally welcome the new council on Wednesday and Thursday, with councillors to have a one-on-one meeting with the Mayor elect.

A council spokesperson said there will be some orientation for the new councillors on Wednesday, and an informal welcome for all elected members from chief executive Hamish Riach and introductions to the executive staff in the afternoon.

The first induction workshop, which will give an overview of council business and a chance to talk about the governance structure, will take place on Thursday.

Selwyn chief executive Sharon Mason plans to contact successful candidates when the results are beyond doubt, and invite them in for informal catch ups next week.

With a minimum of eight new councillors to be elected, the formal induction will begin on October 22-23.

The elected mayors will jet off to attend the mayors’ hui in Wellington on October 20-21, and Local Government NZ is holding a session for all new councillors in Christchurch on October 24.

Ashburton and Selwyn both have the inaugural council meeting, where the new council will be sworn in, planned for October 29.

Canterbury voting numbers (as of October 9)

Mackenzie 48.44% (54.56% total in 2022)

Waimate 42.38% (53.22%).

Kaikoura 40.92% (62.02%)

Timaru 40.42% (49.22%)

Ashburton 36.62% (50.62%)

Selwyn 35.12% (42.44%)

Waimakariri 33.91% (44.61%)

Hurunui 31.31% (43.43%)

Christchurch 30.57% (43.31%)

By Jonathan Leask