The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) declared on Thursday 5 June that the 2024 local council election result for Knox City Council’s Baird Ward remains valid, and the number of fraudulent votes admitted to the count did not affect the election result.
The decision follows a review of the results for Whittlesea City Council’s Lalor Ward and Knox City Council’s Baird Ward elections when the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) detected higher rates of multiple ballot paper envelopes returned by voters in both wards.
An earlier decision by VCAT ruled that last year’s Whittlesea City Council Lalor Ward election result was void, triggering a by-election. The decision regarding the validity of the Knox City Council Baird Ward election concludes the civil matters on the legitimacy of the election results.
Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has welcomed VCAT’s decision and acknowledged the significant efforts of VEC staff who identified the irregularities in both matters and supported VCAT with its inquiries.
“As a result of substantial and wide-ranging safeguards put in place for the 2024 local council elections, the VEC was able to detect a high number of multiple returns in the Knox City Council, Baird Ward election,” Mr Bluemmel said.
“It is our job to make sure all electoral participants follow the law and everyone plays by the rules,” he said.
“Rightly so, Victorians have an expectation that there are safeguards in place to ensure free and fair elections in Victoria and it is our job as the state’s electoral body to investigate and take action when necessary.”
“Integrity is at the heart of everything we do – now and always, and while there was interference in the 2024 local council election, our systems have worked and democracy has prevailed.”
