An 11-hour application has been submitted for a count in one of Australia’s most marginalized federal seats hours before the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has to formally announce the winner.
Key points:
- The AEC is considering Andrew Constance’s countdown request
- Fiona Phillips won last month
- Gilmore was to be officially declared by the AEC today
With all the ballots counted, Gilmore’s current Labor MP, Fiona Phillips, advanced by more than 400 votes, but Liberal candidate Andrew Constance said she submitted the application after her team asked questions.
“As the count has progressed over the past two weeks, my scrutineers have raised concerns regarding certain aspects of the process, especially the scrutiny of informal voting,” Constance said.
“Given the tight result, I think there are good reasons for a count and I have applied to the Australian Electoral Commissioner.”
The AEC said it was considering the request.
“Since we set the time for the official poll statement for Gilmore, we have received a formal request for a count,” it said in a statement.
“In order to properly consider the petition, we have postponed the statement scheduled for today.
“As with all aspects of holding federal elections and counting, we are guided by the ‘right without haste’ principle.”
Former NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance left his state seat in Bega to bow to Gilmore. (ABC Illawarra: Jessica Clifford)
Mrs Phillips claimed victory last month, and Labor claimed the seat as the 77th in parliament.
The ABC also projects a victory for Ms. Phillips, despite a 2.44% swing against her.
He ran in the 2.6 percent seat.
Mrs Phillips has declined to comment on Mr Constance’s request for recount.
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Posted 48 minutes, 48 minutes ago, Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 3:45 AM, updated 47 minutes ago, 47 minutes ago, Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 3:45 AM