Perth Voice Interactive

CLAIMS of “havoc” during a count of votes have prompted former Bayswater councillor Michael Sabatino to take the embattled WA electoral commission to the court of disputed returns.

The council veteran lost his central ward seat in October to Sally Palmer, with Cr Chris Cornish re-elected to the ward’s other seat. “Central ward was different to the other wards in that there were five candidates vying for two spots on council,” Mr Sabatino says.

“It’s more complicated, yet it took only an hour and 20 minutes to complete, when it usually takes about three or four hours.”

He says his scrutineers reported to him that “something went terribly wrong” during the count.

He believes the count was rushed and got “complicated and piles were mixed up” after about an hour.

An insider told him he and Ms Palmer had both been frontrunners when electoral officers who had finished counting other wards joined the table to help out.

“Then havoc took place, according to the scrutineers,” Mr Sabatino says. “They told me it was irregular. They couldn’t see what was happening because there were so many hands on the table. It was hard to identify what votes belonged to whom.

He had asked for a recount on the night, but was told the WA local government act didn’t permit it.

Mr Sabatino says he’s not seeking to reclaim his seat, but in the interests of “justice and transparency” wants it looked into.

He understands it’s the first time in local government history a candidate has appealed an election decision through the courts.

Cr Palmer, Cr Cornish and the WA electoral commission did not respond to the Voice’s calls before deadline.

The court will hear the matter on December 11.

by EMMIE DOWLING