Letters to the Editor – February 24

February 24 2017 - 3:30pm
Letters to the Editor – February 24
Letters to the Editor – February 24

Investigate vote concerns

It seems the Victorian Electoral Commission has some explaining to do. Recent media attention surrounding residents in our district who have been issued with “failure to vote” notices is quite alarming (2147 in Warrnambool alone).  From the public outcry on this issue it appears that many issued with notices, have in-fact cast their vote either via the mail service or by direct drop-off or attendance at a designated election office. The VEC is contracted and paid by municipal councils across the state to count votes in an election. It appears they may have failed to fulfil their obligation. In a society based upon democratic principles where we are under a legal obligation to vote, we have every right to expect that our vote will be counted and correctly processed. Media reports seem to be focussing on voters aggrieved by being fined. I believe the issue is far more serious and that the issue is more about the possibility that votes may have not been correctly recorded, may have been lost, stolen or otherwise tampered with. In an election where only 15 first preference votes separated seventh and eighth positions, it is highly likely that there may have been a different election result if all valid votes that had been made were correctly recorded and counted. The question therefore needs to be asked (and answers need to be obtained) as to what has happened to the votes of those persons who have received “failure to vote” notices and who have clearly stated they did cast their votes? In order to restore public confidence in our democratic system I believe a further independent investigation is essential to determine what has happened to the now allegedly lost ballot papers that were placed in the care of VEC officials.

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