Photo: Jon Manchester

A byelection to fill the Vernon city council seat vacated by the death of Dalvir Nahal could be held as soon as December.

Council will consider key dates in the byelection process at its next meeting on Monday.

Those include staff recommendations that nomination papers be available for pick up starting Oct. 1 and the nomination period begin on Oct. 19.

Advance voting would begin Nov. 24 and general voting day on Dec. 4.

Two-term councillor Nahal passed on Sept. 5 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The Local Government Act requires a byelection be held when a council position becomes vacant prior to Jan. 1 of the year in which a general local election is to be held.

The next general local election won't be held until 2022.

Council is expected to authorize the expenditure of up to $120,000 to conduct the byelection, funded from the city's insurance deductible reserve.

The city has consulted with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Interior Health for direction on appropriate COVID safety protocols. These will include: additional advance voting opportunities, personal protective equipment, staffing and cleaning supplies.