Four candidates are in the running for a by-election to replace a Moray councillor who quit after just four days in office.
Sandy Cooper sparked fury when he stepped down less than a week after being elected to the Elgin City North ward last month.
It is understood the hasty by-election is costing the authority £25,000 to organise.
And now, two of his beaten opponents from the initial vote are trying again to win a place in the council chambers.
Labour were confident their candidate Nick Taylor would have won a seat in the initial ballot if Mr Cooper had not been standing.
Mr Taylor said: “Mr Cooper betrayed the trust of those who voted for him and has put the Moray community to the enormous expense and inconvenience of running a by-election.
“We need to push for policies that are designed to expand local services rather than cutting them.”
Patsy Gowans, who held one of the three seats before the local elections, has been chosen to fight the campaign for the SNP.
She said: “I’ve received a lot of support from the local branch since the vote and the members asked me to stand again.
“I’ve built up a good relationship with many people and had many, many messages of support since the last election. I wouldn’t be standing again if it wasn’t for that.”
Independent Terry Monaghan was also a candidate in last month’s local elections, but stood in the Forres ward. The final candidate is Conservative Maria McLean.
The by-election will take place on Thursday, July 13. The winner will be announced the following day.
