Nineteen candidates have been announced for the three positions available on the Tauranga Electricity Consumers Trust board.

Independent Returning Officer Warwick Lampp says the strong interest compare with 11 candidates in 2016, 19 candidates in 2014, and 23 in 2012.

Nominations closed for the 2018 TECT election at midday today, Friday June 1.

Current trustees Paul Tustin and Ron Scott have chosen not to stand, but Pete Blackwell is re-standing.

The election is being carried out by both internet and postal voting, with voter packs being sent out on Monday June 25. This is the seventh election for TECT that has used online voting, but consumers can only vote using one method.

If votes are received by both internet and post from the same consumer, both their votes will be invalid.

Each consumer is entitled to one vote irrespective of how many power connections they may have. Voting closes at midday on Friday 20th July.

Any queries about the election of Trustees or eligibility to vote can be made to the Independent Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp, on the election helpline 0800 666 029.

The confirmed candidates for the 2018 election are:

ARUNDEL, Mark

BLACKWELL, Pete

CAMERON, John (JC)

CHAMBERLAIN, Ron

EDLIN, Bev

JENNEN, Tina

JONKERS, Willem

LEWIS, Pamela

MILN, Alex

NEILSON, Frank

NESDALE, Sheldon

PURCHES, Graeme

RHODES, Hylton

ROWE-MITCHELL, Valerie

SUMMERHAYS, Karen

TRAPPITT, Phillip

WHEELER, Stephen

WHITE, Peter

WILLIAMS, Kim