There are no issues with voting in the west Auckland wards in the recent local elections, following questions raised this week.
Auckland Council’s General Manager Governance and Engagement Lou-Ann Ballantyne wants to make it clear to west Auckland voters that all voting envelopes dropped into vote boxes in their local areas were collected and counted.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that all votes in west Auckland were counted and contributed to the final results for elected representatives in this area.
“The matter with the voting box originally allocated to the Titirangi Library and subsequently moved to Lopdell House relates only to how the number of votes received were recorded against the location where they were cast. The envelopes were still collected and votes for candidates counted.
“In this instance, the voting box was originally planned to be located at the library but was moved to Lopdell House as the library was closed for renovation. Couriers correctly collected votes as per the agreed schedule, however they did not record the location where these voting envelopes were collected.”
Another matter was raised concerning the electoral roll.
“The Electoral Officer has also provided reassurance that the electoral roll and number of electors information provided to candidates on request is correct.
“Running an election in a region the size and breadth of Tāmaki Makaurau is no mean feat. From time to time there are issues due to unforeseen circumstances, however these are rare and are often resolved quickly. In this situation, there has been no impact on the election outcome.
“Importantly, we want to reassure Aucklanders that our region’s election protocols follow all the rules set out in the Local Electoral Act and are run as independently and robustly as possible.”
