ELECTION CHALLENGE OVER BOTCHED BALLOTS

MATTERS of mathematics and due process (democracy) will be tested in June following a hearing last month over the botched 2023 local government elections in Fremantle’s central and coastal wards.
On April 12, lawyers for the WA Electoral Commission, Greater Fremantle Community & Business Association, former south ward councillor Marija Vujcic and coastal ward councillor Jemima Williamson-Wong appeared before Magistrate Trevor Darge and made submissions on the mix-up of 12,000 ballots in the new wards. The City of Fremantle nor Cr Williamson-Wong attended court.
As first reported by StreetWise (http://www.streetwisemedia.com.au/freo-election-comedy-of-errors), more than 30 people attended the court of disputed returns in Fremantle where Ms Vujcic and the association argued the elections in 2023 were compromised by the ballots stuff-up.
Ms Vujcic explains in the latest edition of Freo StreetWise why the challenge is about process and procedures, and not personalities.
“Maintaining the integrity of the ballot is essential for upholding democracy and ensuring election outcomes are legitimate and representative of voters’ choices. It helps prevent fraud and manipulation and ensures every vote counts.”
Magistrate Darge presided over the Serpentine-Jarrahdale election re-run in 2021 when the court ruled results in its north ward invalid. The WAEC produced a 146-page investigation report in April 2022 and two people were charged.
In Fremantle’s case, two investigations were conducted but their findings have not been released publicly. Details including Ms Vujcic’s view in the latest edition at www.streetwisemedia.com.au.