A National Party candidate for a seat in eastern Victoria who died on Sunday was due to face court later this month charged with rape.
Emergency services were called to Rawson, north of Morwell, on Sunday afternoon where a 47-year-old man was found dead.
Police say the man's death is not being treated as suspicious.
The ABC understands the man was the Nationals candidate for Narracan, Shaun David Gilchrist.
Mr Gilchrist was due to face the County Court for a directions hearing on November 30.
He was facing three charges of sexual assault and one of rape.
Narracan in Victoria's east covers the regional centres of Drouin and Warragul and smaller rural towns in north-west Gippsland.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has determined that the Narracan District election has failed as a result of Mr Gilchrist's death by suicide.
Parties express sympathy for family
Victoria Police confirmed on Monday a 47-year-old man was found dead in bushland near Rawson at 4:15pm on Sunday and the death was "not being treated as suspicious".
Nationals state director Matt Harris this morning confirmed Mr Gilchrist's death.
"Today I have written to the Victorian Electoral Commission to advise of the tragic and unexpected death of the Nationals' candidate for Narracan, Shaun Gilchrist," Mr Harris said.
"The Victorian Nationals express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Gilchrist, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."
"The Gilchrist family has asked for privacy and respect during their time of grief."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews sent his condolences to Mr Gilchrist's family.
"While Shaun and I had never met, I know he was respected by so many across the community for his warmth, his humour and his hard work," Mr Andrews said.
"I have no doubt he shared the same ambition so many of us do in wanting to get involved with politics to change society for the better, and make a positive contribution to the community around him."
Fresh election needed
Narracan is one of the Coalition's safest seats and was held by the retiring Liberal Gary Blackwood at the 2018 election with 57.26 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote.
If a candidate dies before 6pm on election day, the election for that district is declared 'failed' under Victorian electoral laws.
The VEC called the failed election in Narracan on Monday afternoon.
Acting electoral commissioner Dana Fleming said her thoughts went out to Mr Gilchrist's family.
"I acknowledge that the local community will also be in mourning," she said.
As a result of the failed election, any early votes received for the Narracan District will be set aside.
Ms Fleming said that from this point, only Upper House ballot papers for the Eastern Victoria Region will be counted.
"A writ will be issued for a supplementary election for Narracan District, using the electoral roll prepared for the original election," Ms Fleming said.
"The VEC will seek a timeline for the supplementary election and communicate this as it is known."
The VEC said failing to vote in the Upper House election without a valid reason may result in a $92 fine.
