March 22, 2016
A petition has been launched online in the Western Downs council area – which includes Bell and Chinchilla – calling for Saturday’s election to be re-run.
The Western Downs Council poll was run as a postal vote, ie. there were no polling booths.
Many of the people who have signed the petition say they did not receive their ballot papers in the mail.
There have also also complaints about the “confusing” system of envelopes.
Petition organiser – and council candidate – Jamie Hurley, from Tara, also alleges the ballot was flawed because counting was not conducted in a secure room.
“The general public had access to the Returning Officer’s office where counting was being conducted and votes placed on March 19 were not placed into a sealed ballot box. They were placed directly on the counting table,” Mr Hurley said.
Mr Hurley has addressed his petition to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Electoral Commission Queensland and the Australian Electoral Commission.
Western Downs residents had a choice of five candidates for mayor and 23 for council (eight to be elected).
On Tuesday afternoon, Dalby farmer Paul McVeigh had a clear lead over his opponents, including former deputy mayor George Moore.
Incumbent mayor Ray Brown did not seek re-election, standing instead as a councillor.
- External link: Change.org Petition
We have had the same problem for the Bulloo shire. I think it’s totally unfair that people didn’t get to have their say. We still have 60 votes out with only 231 voters. Every vote counts. I just think it is unfair that people do not get a voice. If the State elections are run this way, I wonder who will win?