Ballot papers were left out on a desk overnight while people moved through the room during a vote count in last month’s local government election in a breach the state’s election watchdog says it “deeply regrets”.

Photos provided to this masthead show unsealed ballot papers sprawled across a desk at the Shire of Gingin council chambers, in WA’s Wheatbelt, on October 18 after vote counting had paused.

Left: Ballot papers were left unsecured as people came and left the council chambers. Right: Gingin councillor Lincoln Stewart.

Gingin councillor Lincoln Stewart filed a formal complaint with the WA Electoral Commission after witnessing people entering and leaving the room that night and again the following morning before counting resumed.

“These breaches have fundamentally compromised the

See Full Page