NCD Regional counting suspended indefinitely

Scrutineers refused to enter the counting venue this morning after an incident at the end of the night shift.

The issue started at 8am when two scrutineers were forcefully removed from the counting venue by security personnel.

The next shift of counting officials was told to vacate the counting venue at 2:30pm until further notice. This happened after candidates refused to allow their scrutineers enter the venue due to the dispute.

The candidates gathered outside the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex and raised their concerns, demanding that the issue be addressed immediately to allow for a free and fair election.

Candidate Andy Bawa, Jamie Maxtone Graham and Michael Kandiu highlighted that the counting process must be rectified before counting continues.

They said counting officials must clarify why their scrutineers have been treated poorly and why presiding officers have not been present at some occasions to verify boxes.

The candidates asked that this issue be resolved before their scrutineers will be allowed to enter the counting venue to continue the counting process.

Regional - after count 91