XN000022-1985-01-31 — Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985

503 VIE FOR DB SEATS

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A TOTAL OF 503 PEOPLE FROM A WIDE RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED AS CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.

THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM CANDIDATES AND NOTED THAT THE ELECTORS HAD A WIDE

CHOICE.

→1. AM HAPPY THAT SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE COME FORWARD AND ARE WILLING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, +

E SAID.

+ IT IS UP TO THE VOTERS NOW TO DO THEIR PART BY VOTING ON TARCH 7.

+THE MORE PEOPLE THAT VOTE, THE STRONGER WILL BE THE VOICE OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES,+ HE SAID.

SOME 1,4 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS WHICH ARE TO FILL 237 VACANT SEATS ON 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.

IN THE FINAL DAY OF NOMINATIONS, 24 CANDIDATES FILED IN THE IR NOMINATIONS, BRINGING TO 503 THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES.

THESE INCLUDE 472 MEN AND 31 WOMEN FROM A WIDE BACKGROUND, INCLUDING EXECUTIVES, TEACHERS, DOCTORS, ENGINEERS, FACTORY WORKERS, BUSINESSMEN AND HOUSEWIVES.

THE LARGEST GROUP COMES FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR, REPRESENTING 41 PER CENT FOLLOWED BY EXECUTIVES (16 PER CENT); EDUCATIONALISTS (12 PER CENT); AND PROFESSIONALS (7 PER CENT).

AGES OF CANDIDATES RANGE FROM 21, THE MINIMUM LEGAL AGE REQUIREMENT, TO 75.

THE 31-40 AGE GROUP IS THE LARGEST, WITH 156 CANDIDATES IN THIS GROUP. THERE ARE 115 BETWEEN THE AGES OF 41 AND 50, AND 115 AGED BETWEEN 51 AND 60.

AMONGST THE 503 CANDIDATES ARE 120 SERVING MEMBERS SEEKING E. TION FOR A NEW TERM.

FOURTEEN OF THE 145 CONSTITUENCIES ARE UNCONTESTED AND THE 22 CANDIDATES IN THESE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE RETURNED UNOPPOSED.

THE MOST