Voters in the seat of Eden-Monaro are asking what is taking the Liberal Party so long to announce a candidate.
The federal election has not been called yet, but could take place on May 7, 14, or 21.
With only weeks to go, several local constituents are wondering why there is not yet a Liberal candidate declared to campaign for the seat.
"It just shows their lack of planning," said Kylie O'Neill of Angledale.
"It sounds to be like another one of their captain's calls, which is pretty poor and poor thinking on their part."
The comments come after Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Dominic Perrottet were granted the power to hand-pick candidates in certain electorates, including the key seat of Eden-Monaro, after the party's federal executive voted unanimously to intervene.
Eden-Monaro is a marginal seat held by Labor's Kristy McBain with a 0.9 per cent margin.
The Greens, United Australia Party, and the Informed Medical Options Party have each declared candidates to compete for the seat.
In the neighbouring federal seat of Gilmore, Liberal candidate Andrew Constance has been campaigning since last year.
Some voters are concerned about the process of choosing a candidate for Eden-Monaro.
"I don't like the idea at all that they're going to parachute someone in," said Graham Parry of Narooma.
After the state and the local elections, chair of the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce, Olivier Kapatanekos, said many locals just wanted to get yet another election out of the way.
"The faster they get this done the better," he said.
Time of the essence
Prior to this announcement, the ABC understood there to be two Liberal Party nominees vying for pre-selection for Eden-Monaro.
It included former Queanbeyan-Palerang councillor Mark Schweikert and Jerry Nockles, who used to be a media advisor for Peter Hendy, a former Liberal politician for the seat.
A decision on who the candidate is has to be made by Saturday April 2.
For ANU political scientist John Warhurst, the decision to allow the Prime Minister and NSW Premier to directly intervene in choosing a candidate is warranted, but it had come at a cost.
"It had to happen soon. It's ridiculous that it hasn't happened earlier," he said.
A factional battle within the NSW Liberal Party is believed to be contributing to a delay in choosing candidates in a number of seats across the state.
Mr Warhurst said the eventual Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro will have less time to boost their profile, which will have an impact at the polls.
"It's common sense that if you're out in the electorate getting to know people and letting them get to know you, then it will make a difference when the polls come," he said.
