The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced the results of the recount of the federal senate election for Western Australia. After reexamining millions of votes, incumbent Senator for The Greens, Scott Ludlum and Wayne Dropulich from the fledgling Sports Party have been announced as the winners of the fifth and six seats in the race.
On election night this was the result that all the pundits were predicting, but then in a crucial part of preference distribution the count put the final two seats to Labor’s Louise Pratt and Zhenya Dio Wang from the new Palmer United Party.
A recount was requested by The Greens as the point of difference at the crucial turn in the flow of votes was just 14 votes. THat recount has now given the seat to Ludlum.
During the recount however the AEC admitted it had lost almost 1,400 votes from the great southern region. Palmer United party leader Clive Palmer has said that without the missing votes the recount should be ignored and the original declaration should stand.
The final decision is still not certain with many electoral experts suggesting that the result could successfully be challenged in the high court.
OIP Staff
