Complaints raised in Vic council elections

Bribery and corruption allegations were included in hundreds of formal complaints Victorians lodged during last year's local council elections.

The Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate says it received 409 complaints during the election period, with other complaints concerning misleading or deceptive matters, queries about the eligibility of candidates, and advertising material.

In a report released on Monday, the local council watchdog says it received 69 complains about campaign material or statements containing misleading or deceptive matter.

Many complaints said candidates had made false statements, such as referring to themselves as "councillor" to give the impression of council support, misrepresented their past achievements, or made defamatory comments about other candidates.

During the 2016 elections, an audit by the watchdog led to two candidates being removed after they were found to be ineligible to nominate because of their financial or criminal history.