Only a month after municipal elections were held in Manitoba, the RM of Pembina has decided to hold a by-election to fill a vacant seat on council.

There was no election in Pembina as the reeve and five councillors were all acclaimed, but there is a sixth council seat that still remains open.

Normally, the council would select someone from the community to serve in that position, however, councillors have decided to hold a by-election instead.

"We have put a lot of thought into ... and council has agreed that we are going to run a by-election for the vacant seat and let the ratepayers make the decision," said Reeve Glen Shiskoski.

He said a number of people expressed an interest in sitting on council after the election was over, which is why they decided to let the voters decide who they want on council.

"It gives everybody a voice to decide who they'd like on council. We take the risk that if nobody runs then we'll have to appoint someone anyway, but this allows the electorate to have a say."

The by-election is set for April 17, 2019.