A list of the 1,640 validly-nominated candidates for the 2003 Village Representative Elections was gazetted today.

Some 930 candidates have been returned uncontested while 710 will compete for 361 seats in the elections to be held every weekend from July 12 to August 17.

There are also 189 seats for which no nominations have been made.

Polling will be conducted from noon to 7pm. Electors will receive a polling notice at least 10 days before the polling day of their village. The notice will specify the address of the polling station, accompanied by a location map.

Separate polling notices will be sent out for each category of the elections.

Electors are required to bring along the relevant polling notice and their identity documents to the designated polling station on the polling day for their village.

Home Affairs Department said this is the first time that the Village Representative elections are conducted under a statutory framework. Electors are urged to exercise their civil rights and vote.

Electors or candidates may call 2152 1521 for enquiries or visit the Village Representative Elections' website.