Jarrod Bell (Lab) has been confirmed as the successful candidate for Sunbury’s Jacksons Hill Ward following a recount that took place Tuesday 12 November. He got a second term on Hume City Council with a slim 16-vote majority.
He was first declared the winner with an eight-vote majority on Friday 8 November. A recount was called for and that took place at Sandown Racecourse, Springvale.
The original result (inc preferences) showed Mr Bell received 6,211 votes (50.03%) and Natalie Harrison (Ind) 6,203 votes (49.97% ).
The recount (inc preferences) saw Mr Bell with 6,215 votes (49.94%), and Ms Harrison on 6,199 (49.94%) giving Mr Bell a 16-vote win.
As for first preference votes, where voters placed number one against their preferred candidate’s name on ballot papers, John Karagiannidis, received 2,193; Ms Harrison, 4,856; and Mr Bell 5,365.
It means 7,049 people did not place number one against Mr Bell’s name on voting slips.
Following Mr Bell’s win, Sunbury MP Josh Bull surfaced on social media to congratulate his former campaign office colleague.
The first meeting of the new council will be Tuesday 19 November at the Broadmeadows chamber when the city’s next mayor will be named.
