See The Hume Report for the latest news on the recount and Hume Council.
With just eight votes between Jacksons Hill Ward candidates Jarrod Bell and Natalie Harrison, the Victorian Electoral Commission and Hume City Council have agreed to a recount. Mr Bell has already posted on Facebook that he won the ward.
The result announced Friday (after preferences) showed Ms Harrison received 6,203 votes (49.97% ), and Mr Bell 6,211 votes (50.03%).
Simon Greaves, Election Manager – Hume City Council, says the decision to recount the votes was made following a candidate request “…which outlined reasons that I, along with the VEC, believe were sufficient to warrant a recount to ensure confidence in the result”.
Mr Greaves says: “As such, the declaration of results for Jacksons Hill ward will not proceed as scheduled. All other elections will be declared as scheduled, unless otherwise advised by me.”
Mr Greaves says details of the recount will be announced as soon as they are agreed.
As per the original count, candidates are not permitted to attend the recount but they can appoint scrutineers to observe these activities.
“There will be at least four hours between the notification of the recount arrangements and the commencement of the recount so that candidates of the election being recounted can arrange their scrutineers,” says Mr Greaves.
