Council elections under scrutiny
QUESTIONS about how the scrutineering was going to be handled seemed to be the main concern at a candidates’ information session for the South Gippsland Shire council elections in Leongatha last Tuesday night, September 13.
There’s already a Melbourne Cup type field lining up for the elections, with ballot packs to be sent mailed out to eligible voters between Tuesday, October 4 and Thursday, October 6.
If anyone wants to have a crack at being a shire councillor then they better be quick with nominations closing today (Tuesday, September 20) at noon and costing $250 for the privilege.
While no-one is running a ‘book’ on the election, there is certainly a wide open field trying to wrest the various ward positions from the incumbents, most of whom have indicated they are running again.
Current councillor Don Hill wanted to know how the scrutineering worked and do they have to be there at the post office when the ballots come back.
Returning officer Sheryl Bruce told the good crowd in attendance, which included most of the candidates, that Australia Post sorted out ballot papers at the distribution centre, then delivered them directly to the electoral office which has just been opened in Bair Street, Leongatha.
Scrutineers can be in attendance at the opening at various times in the process.
“Most candidates don’t have a scrutineer; it’s a personal choice,” Mrs Bruce said.
Responding to a question, Mrs Bruce said in three shire elections which she has been involved in, “I’ve never had a vote changed.”
Voters who enrolled to vote with South Gippsland Shire Council and Bass Coast Shire Council as at Friday, August 26 will be sent a ballot pack between October 4 and 6.
Once completed, return the ballot so that is in the mail by 6pm, Friday, October 21.
Votes are likely to be counted from Monday, October 24 and could take several days before the winners are announced.
The nomination period for candidates in Bass Coast Shire Council will also finish today (Tuesday, September 20) at noon.
The final list of candidates in ballot paper order will be available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website later this afternoon.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, will be the last chance for candidates to lodge statements and respond to the questionnaire.
The election office for Bass Coast Shire Council is located at Old Wonthaggi Post Office and is open to the public. The office is open from 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Possible runners: from left, Strzelecki Ward candidate Ian Nicholas and possible candidate Viv Pepper with David Amor, right, a confirmed candidate for Strzelecki Ward in South Gippsland Shire.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Sep 20 2016. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
