Unopened votes causes third Narungga count
THE Electoral Commission of South Australia have discovered unopened ballot papers that were not counted for the seat of Narungga.
THE Electoral Commission of South Australia have discovered unopened ballot papers that were not counted for the seat of Narungga.
Returned from the district of Stuart, 77 absent ordinary ballot papers and four declaration ballot papers for Narungga were found.
One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas was declared elected for the seat of Narungga over Liberal candidate Tania Stock by a nail-biting 58 votes after a recount on April 2.
Acting commissioner Leah McLay said all candidates had been contacted today to notify them of a further count, set to take place tomorrow, April 17.
"Following the discovery of votes that have not been counted, I have secured the unopened ballot papers and have ordered a further count for the district of Narungga," Ms McLay said.
"I have informed all candidates and will oversee the count on Friday, April 17, and nominated scrutineers are invited to attend.
"The Commission will support any independent external review into the 2026 State Election and South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament Election."
Ms Thomas said the news is “very disappointing” for the community of Narungga.
“We’re being forced to wait – again – to see who will be Narungga’s representative in parliament,” she said.
“Let’s be clear: this raises serious questions about the integrity of the South Australian election, whether the electoral commission was fully prepared for it, and how Labor’s new electoral laws – passed with Liberal support – impacted on the electoral commission’s preparations.
“Like everyone else, I’ll have to wait for the count on Friday. Afterwards, I’m sure there will be more to say about it.”
Mrs Stock said she is concerned about the error.
“I’m definitely surprised but it’s concerning – I do question how many other votes are still floating around the state,” she said.
“I find it unusual if boxes were being opened and votes being counted without scrutineers being present.
“Every single vote counts and it’s concerning that it’s happened this late in the election.”
