Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has called for a fresh vote of the WA Senate following the revelations that nearly 1,400 votes went missing. He said if the ballots are not found, voters should go back to the polls.
The Independent Senator took to Twitter yesterday to voice his disdain at the way the AEC handled the matter, stating: “To lose one vote is unfortunate, to lose two looks like carelessness, to lose 1,375 is case for a fresh election (apologies to Oscar Wilde).”
On Thursday, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) revealed that 1,375 votes could not be “located, rechecked or verified in the recount process”. The AEC has asked former Australian Federal Police Commission Mick Keelty to investigate the “serious administrative issue”.
“It will cost a lot of money, but there is no choice,” Xenophon told the media this week.
“Better to cost money now than have a result where there is a question mark over those that have been elected. I think that is the safest course to take.”