HAMMOND | Hammond City Councilman Robert "Bob" Markovich said the May 8 ballot isn't big enough for both him and his nephew.

Robert Markovich filed a challenge Thursday with the Lake County elections board demanding Thomas A. Markovich be removed as a candidate for City Council. The Markovichs are among nine candidates running for three at-large council seats.

Robert Markovich alleges in a complaint that Thomas Markovich hasn't been a resident in the city long enough as required under state law.

He alleges Thomas Markovich "is nothing more than a sham candidate ... for the sole purpose of causing confusion to the voters by virtue of the fact that he shares the same surname."

Robert Markovich said he and his nephew's side of the family have been at odds and he believes his political enemies encouraged his nephew to run against him.

Thomas Markovich couldn't be reached Thursday for comment on the challenge.

County Election Administrator Michelle Fajman said the elections board will wait until noon today to accept all challenges to candidates in the spring primary. She said the board will allow everyone making challenges to present their evidence at a March 13 hearing.

Tom Goralczyk, a Democratic challenger for Merrillville Town Councilman David Uzelac's 4th Ward seat, filed a challenge Wednesday wanting Uzelac removed under a state law forbidding people convicted of felonies from assuming or running for public office.