Wingham and Upper Manning voters will go to the polls on Saturday, September 6, in the Lyne federal by-election, necessitated by the resignation of member of parliament Mark Vaile.

This vote will be backed up a week later with the Greater Taree City local government election on Saturday, September 13.

The race for Lyne is wide open.

Thus far, Elands environmentalist Susie Russell is running for The Greens and sacked Port Macquarie mayor Rob Drew has been endorsed to run for The Nationals.

Popular State MP Rob Oakeshott yesterday ended weeks of speculation by announcing his candidacy for the seat.

Another possible candidate was would-be Labor representative James Langley.

Mr Langley is resigning from the ALP because the party has decided against running a candidate in the electorate, a traditional stronghold for the Nationals.

“When Labor refuses to contest a seat, they are removing competitive tension from the debate of issues in that seat and our democracy suffers,” Mr Langley said in a press statement.

However, Mr Langley said he would only stand as an Independent if Mr Oakeshott did not.

The other part of the Coalition, the Liberal Party, is split on whether to run a candidate for Lyne.

In the council elections, nominations for the September 13 poll opened on Monday.

The number of councillors to be elected has been reduced from 12 to nine this year, including a popularly elected mayor.

A total of 11 people have announced their intention to run for Greater Taree City Council so far.