PONCHATOULA---Seven local candidates, including three former council members, officially qualified to fill two vacancies on the Ponchatoula City Council.

Qualifying closed Friday for the vacancies that will be put before voters on the March 27 primary elections here.

According to official documentation provided by the Louisiana Secretary of State, four candidates qualified to fill the Council District B seat vacated by a recalled Dave Higgenbotham, who was himself one of the four candidates to qualify last week for the open seat.

Higgenbotham, another former council member Elouise Conley-Dotey, Debra Hills, and Lloyd Leonard, Sr., all qualified during last week's official sign-up period for candidates interested in running for the District B council seat.

In District D, three candidates qualified to run for the open District D council seat, which was vacated with the resignation last fall of former councilman Robert Elzy, Jr., who was convicted of forcible rape.  

Applying to fill that open seat were former City Councilman Perry Graves, along with Tracey Brown and Melvin Toomer.

The primary election for both seats is scheduled March 27, with a May 2 run-off date available, if necessary.