Residents of Ward 1 in the RM of Portage la Prairie could be going to the polls January 10th.

That's the date of a by-election after the Council seat was declared vacant following a two-way tie in the October 23rd election.

Incumbent Wally Ducharme and Garth Asham were deadlocked after a re-count. Nominations open today.

RM CAO Daryl Hrehirchuk says besides the actual election date, there's one more process to be set up -- an advance poll date also has to be determined.

Hrehirchuk adds the by-election is open to anyone wishing to file nomination papers, not just the three previous candidates. Henry Bunnick ran as well.

The deadline to file nominations is December 5th at 5 pm.