‘Dozens’ More Missing Ballots Found Weeks After SA Election

More uncounted ballots have been discovered in two South Australian electorates one month after the state election was concluded.

This comes just days after the state’s electoral commissioner was forced to conduct a recount in the seat of Narungga in South Australia’s north west.

Now the commission has revealed a “small number” of uncounted ballots have been found in the electorates of Enfield and Newland, both safe Labor seats and for the upper and lower houses.

South Australian Labor Attorney General Kyam Maher told 891 ABC Adelaide he is seeking more information about the “dozens” of missing ballots.

“I don’t know much more than what’s in the public arena. Yesterday the Electoral Commission let us know that there had  been a further discovery of a small number, I understand it’s in the order of dozens of votes in the electorates of Enfield and Newland,” he said on April 22.

Maher expressed disappointment and understood the frustration of voters.

“What we’ve been told is the polls have been declared so they won’t go to the count and they wouldn’t have had any effect on the counts of those seats, but the upper house Legislative Council votes will be included in the count.”

Labor won the South Australian election in a record landslide on March 21, securing 34 lower house seats compared to 5 for the Liberal Party and 4 for One Nation.

A recount of the seat of Narungga was conducted on April 17 after 81 missing ballots was discovered in the neighbouring electorate of Stuart.

One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas was ultimately confirmed the winner by 74 votes, up from 58.

Election Integrity Questions

Meanwhile, election analyst Antony Green said the issue would have an impact on integrity.

“Elections rely on trust. The fact that this stuff comes out in drips and drabs does not look good,” he said on 891 ABC Adelaide Drive.

Acting Electoral Commissioner Leah McLay said there would be a thorough investigation both internally and independently.

“While the operational issues that have occurred have not affected the integrity of the election, I share the community’s frustration with these unacceptable system failures,” she said in a statement on April 21.

“The issues we have experienced fall well short of our expectations—and those of the community. I apologise to the voters and candidates for the inconvenience and confusion that was caused and to staff who experienced issues working for ECSA [Electoral Commission of South Australia].”