A submit field which will have contained accomplished poll packs for Victoria’s native council elections has been stolen, prompting the Victorian Electoral Fee (VEC) to induce voters to finish a brand new poll.
In an announcement issued on Thursday, the VEC and Bayside Metropolis Council confirmed that the Australia Submit field at 79 Asling Avenue, within the well-heeled Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton, was stolen on Monday.
The council says anybody who submitted their accomplished poll packs at that submit field between 9am on 20 October and 9:30am on 21 October to go to the Bayside election workplace in neighbouring Hampton to forged a alternative poll or name the VEC at 131 832.
Voters from exterior Bayside who used the postbox throughout this time have additionally been requested to go to their respective council’s election workplace to rearrange for a alternative, the VEC stated.
With election workplaces open till 6pm on Friday — the ultimate day to vote — affected voters have been urged to behave rapidly.
The Australia Submit field at 79 Asling Avenue, Brighton, pictured on Google Maps earlier than it was stolen. Supply: Provided, Google
Might voters whose ballots had been stolen face fines if they do not forged once more?
For these unable to submit their votes on time, the VEC will problem an ‘Obvious failure to vote discover’ just like what they’d ship to another non-voter.
A VEC spokesperson advised SBS Information that the discover provides voters an opportunity to elucidate that their poll pack was affected by the theft, and the VEC will take that into consideration.
Voting in Victoria’s native council elections is obligatory for enrolled voters, and those that don’t present a legitimate motive for not voting could face a advantageous of $99.
An Australia Submit spokesperson advised SBS Information the enterprise was “at the moment supporting a police investigation into the theft”.
Police investigating Brighton submit field theft
Victoria Police stated investigators had been advised the submit field was stolen at about 2.30am on Monday.
“Investigators have been advised two males loaded the field into the again of a silver SUV or 4WD and drove off,” a Victoria Police spokesperson advised SBS Information.
“The investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
This is not the primary postal incident to have an effect on Victoria not too long ago. Only a week in the past, an Australia Submit assortment automobile was stolen, impacting 9 postboxes within the Mount Waverley and Oakleigh areas.
