Election 2010: Statement from the Australian Electoral Commission - Division of Flynn

31 August 2010

Legal advice has been received which means that 452 early votes cast for the Division of Flynn will not be included in the count.

The legal advice was sought after the Divisional Returning Officer discovered that these votes had not been handled in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The votes were immediately quarantined and will not affect the progress, or finalisation, of the count in Flynn.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ed Killesteyn said that this is a serious matter that has resulted in affected voters not having their votes counted.

Mr Killesteyn further advised that he has instigated an urgent examination into the circumstances which led to the exclusion of these votes. The examination will establish the facts surrounding the incident and report its findings to the Electoral Commissioner.

Current count figures for Flynn are available.

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