Recount of votes in McEwen completed
The Australian Electoral Commission today announced that the recount of all ballot papers for the Division of McEwen at the recent federal election has been completed, together with a full distribution of preferences.
The result is as follows:
Fran Bailey 48,265
Rob Mitchell 48,253
Over 100,000 ballot papers were recounted in the presence of scrutineers appointed by the candidates. A number of ballot papers were referred to the Divisional Returning Officer for a decision about the formality of each ballot paper. In a recount, a scrutineer can also challenge the Returning Officer’s decision. This additional step resulted in over 640 ballot papers being referred to the Australian Electoral Officer for Victoria for his consideration and final decision.
These extra checks on formality (required by the recount provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act) resulted in a number of ballot papers being re-classified either as ‘formal’ or ‘informal’. Accordingly, the initial count that showed a majority of six (6) votes for Mr Mitchell has, after this formal recount, now been adjusted to show a majority of twelve (12) votes for Ms Bailey.
The Divisional Returning Officer proposes to declare the poll tomorrow, Thursday, 20 December 2007, at 12 noon at the McEwen Divisional Office in Seymour.
For more information contact:
Phil Diak
Director Media
Tel (02) 6271 4415
Mob 0413 452 539
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