Progress results of the Central Otago District Council (CODC) elections are in, with approximately 90 per cent of votes now counted.

At this stage, the following four candidates are ahead in the Cromwell Ward: Sarah Browne (1,822 votes); Cheryl Laws (1,723); Neil Gillespie (1,657); and Nigel McKinlay (1,502).

Sarah Browne, Top polling candidate so far for Cromwell Ward

Five people are ahead in the Vincent Ward: Tamah Alley (2,552); Tracy Paterson (2,538); Martin McPherson (2,062); Lynley Claridge (1,995); and Ian Cooney (1,733).

Tamah Alley - Top polling candidate so far for Vincent Ward

The Teviot Valley Ward had just one vacancy, and at this stage Sally Feinerman (332 votes) is narrowly ahead of Mason Robinson (301). 

Sally Feinerman - Top polling candidate so far for Teviot Valley Ward

The Vincent Community Board’s four vacancies look to be filled by Tony Hammington (2,227); Dai Johns (2,144); Roger Browne (2,104); and Jayden Cromb (1,623).

The Teviot Valley Community Board has four vacancies, which at this stage are filled by: Norman Dalley (490 votes); Mark Jessop (468); Russell Read (270); and Gill Booth (255).

Incumbent CODC mayor Tim Cadogan was elected without contest.

Progress results do not include some special votes and votes returned today (Saturday October 8) that are still in transit to the processing centre.  

“The outcome of these elections may change once all votes have been counted,” CODC electoral officer Anthony Morton said.

Preliminary results will be released after 2pm tomorrow (Sunday October 9), and final results confirmed by Thursday (October 13).

At this stage, numbers suggest that fewer than 50 per cent of eligible voters have cast a vote in the local body elections.

The voter return was 44.55 per cent, with a total of 7,675 votes. This excludes votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes.

PHOTOS: Supplied