The result in South Australia’s Narungga electorate has been thrown into uncertainty after officials discovered dozens of votes that were never counted.
One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas was declared the winner of the Yorke Peninsula seat at last month’s state election by just 58 votes, edging out Liberal candidate Tania Stock. It was the tightest margin of the election, and the count took time, with Ms Thomas not confirmed as the new MP until April 2, almost two weeks after polling day on March 21.
Now, the Electoral Commission of South Australia has ordered a recount after finding 77 “absent votes” that had not been included, which is 19 more than Ms Thomas’s winning margin.
Acting commissioner Leah McLay said the ballots have been secured and a further count has been scheduled. “Following the discovery of votes that have not been counted, I have secured the unopened ballot papers and have ordered a further count for the district of Narungga,” she said. “I have informed all candidates and will oversee the count on Friday, April 17 and nominated scrutineeers are invited to attend.”
Ms Stock told the ABC she had not yet been contacted and was unaware of the commission’s statement.
South Australian Liberal leader Ashton Hurn said the situation underlined the need for quick information from election authorities. “Who knows what this will mean for the seat of Narungga, but that’s why I think the electoral commision needs to provide some clarity to people quickly.”
With the recount set to proceed, candidates and voters in Narungga are now waiting to see whether the newly discovered votes will change the final outcome.
