Seven people have expressed an interest in taking over the seat held by Councillor Ivan Connaughton on Roscommon County Council.
The Independent member announced his intention to resign from the local authority at the end of March citing frustrations with working within local government.
It's understood that at least three of those who have come forward are from the Athlone Municipal Area, which Councillor Connaughton currently represents.
A three-person committee will interview all seven hopefuls this week with a successor expected to emerge by the end of the week or early next week. Councillor Connaugton is expected to attend the April meeting of the local authority with his successor to be co-opted in May.