A Sydney judge has refused to release Salim Mehajer on bail pending an appeal against the severity of his sentence for electoral fraud.

The controversial former Auburn deputy mayor was jailed last month for a maximum of 21 months and a minimum of 11 months, after being convicted of electoral fraud for rigging the 2012 local government election that catapulted him into public office.

Salim Mehajer outside the Downing Centre court complex before he was jailed for a minimum of 11 months. Credit:Janie Barrett

The Downing Centre District Court heard on Thursday that Mehajer, 32, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was seeking bail to start treatment and to prepare for his appeal against the severity of the sentence imposed by Local Court magistrate Beverley Schurr.

His lawyers will be urging the court to impose a non-custodial sentence at the hearing on September 3.