The State’s electoral commission has defended it handling of the April council elections following a lashing from local government. In a submission to Local Government Minister David Crisafulli, the Electoral Commission Queensland has hit back at claims of a cost blow-out and botched processes during the 73 council polls. Councils have argued control over their quadrennial elections should be handed back to them following the April elections they claimed were too expensive and riddled with problems, from missing or incorrect postal votes to a lack of ballot papers at booths. They said the cost of elections had risen from $6.10 per voter when councils were in charge to $10 per voter in 2012 under the ECQ. The commission, however, claims the cost is closer to $4.50 per elector.
It also defended the promotion of the elections and the time it took to declare winners and said errors that occurred had only a small impact considering the number of voters. A shortage of ballot papers was reported in three council areas, affecting about 20 to 30 voters, the ECQ report states.
Full Article: Electoral Commission Queensland defends handling of April council elections after Local Government lashing | The Courier-Mail.
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