The NSW Liberal Party will not take legal action following an error that saw nearly 140 of its candidates disqualified from council elections. 

Last week, the Liberals failed to meet a nomination deadline, effectively barring a large contingent of their candidates from participating in next month's elections. 

Initially, the party signalled an intention to pursue legal recourse, citing “irregularities” in the nominations process, particularly concerning the timing of the Electoral Commission’s election notification. 

Following some reportedly intense discussions and legal consultations, the party’s acting state director, Wilson Chessel, has announced that no legal proceedings would be initiated.

The development follows the removal of state director Richard Shields, who was held accountable for the oversight. 

The Liberal Party's failure to lodge the nominations on time has already had significant ramifications, most notably in Penrith’s east ward, where the Liberals had two sitting councillors. 

Due to the missed deadline, these seats will now be uncontested, effectively handing control of the ward to the Labor Party.

Separately, the NSW Electoral Commission has declared uncontested elections in 14 council areas across the state due to an insufficient number of candidates.

In five councils, there were either not enough candidates or just enough to fill the available positions, meaning those who did stand will be elected unopposed. 

This situation also extends to 16 ward elections and a mayoral race in Uralla, all of which will proceed without voter input. 

The Penrith City Council's east ward, impacted by the Liberal Party’s paperwork blunder, is among those where no election will be held.

Experts say that a decline in public trust in local government might be a contributing factor to the low nomination numbers. 

The pressures of everyday life, compounded by the ongoing cost of living crisis, are considered possible deterrents to prospective candidates.

The NSW Electoral Commission has indicated that by-elections may be required in some areas where the number of nominations did not meet the minimum requirement to fill all positions. 

Local government elections in New South Wales are scheduled for Saturday, 14 September.