ELECTION day volunteers are proving that there is a nice side to politics.
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It has been a tough campaign that, at times, has gotten nasty, but despite that candidates and volunteers were able to remain respectful of each other at the polling places.
Garry Sewell was volunteering for incumbent John Fry's team on Saturday, spending a few hours at the Bathurst West Public School polling centre.
He also volunteered at pre-poll earlier in the week to help spread Mr Fry's message.
He has come across other volunteers and candidates at the polling centres and, although campaigning for different people, found that they are able to get along.
"We get on well together. There's no animosity here at all," Mr Sewell said.
The experience was the same for Fiona Marwick, the number three on Team Hanger, and Kate Smith, the number five on incumbent Jess Jennings' team.
"It's a very warm and friendly and convivial atmosphere," Ms Smith said.
"... There's a really nice spread of representation here of new candidates and their teams, and it has been really fun."
Over at Eglinton Public School, the experience was the same.
Diane and Mark Ireland were representing Team Hogan, and reported that people were getting along with each other while manning the polls.
Kevin Walker, a volunteer for Nick Packham's team, said it was important for people to get along.
"It's essential. For anyone who's going to be representing Bathurst, they need to be able to work together with other people, so I think it's important that those that are here to support the candidates, and the candidates themselves, can have constructive conversations with other candidates or volunteers," he said.
Mrs Ireland added, "We're all after good people on council, so it is a reflection on us if we're not respectful towards each other."
Voting in the election will close at 6pm on Saturday.
For a full list of polling centres, click here.
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