A date for a fresh election in the North Ward of the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire has been set for October 22, with council opting for in-person voting after the results of last year’s mail-in vote were overturned due to fraud and ballot theft.
The two North Ward council seats, occupied by former councillors Rob Coales and Gary Singh, were made vacant in July following the ruling.
In making his invalidity finding, Magistrate Trevor Darge expressed uncertainty over the extent and impact that ballot theft and fraud might have had on the election results.
While a decision over the date of the new election has been reached, questions remain over the awarding of costs related to the trial.
A special council meeting on July 11 resulted in a decision to seek an order for costs from Ved Tewari and Amandeep Rosha – the two individuals caught with 46 ballots they had stolen from letterboxes in Byford in the lead up to election day.
A hearing over the awarding of costs was adjourned on Wednesday, August 10 until October 7.
As the fresh election will be conducted in-person, votes are to be cast at a nominated polling place and residents seeking a postal vote will need to make a separate application.
Early voting will be available at specified locations approximately one month before the election.
To be included in the electoral roll for the election, residents must enrol no later than 5pm, on Friday, September 2.
To find out more about how to vote, visit sjshire.wa.gov.au/council-elections-frequently-asked-questions.aspx
Read more Serpentine/Jarrahdale news here.
