Federal Election: Nine’s Great Debate vote website crashes

Australians were unable to vote on Nine’s Great Debate after the online poll was hit by technical issues.

Australians who tuned into Nine’s broadcast of the Great Debate were unable to vote after technical issues which prevented them from casting votes online.

Viewers of the 60 Minutes program were told to scan a QR to vote on issues raised in the debate between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Leader Anthony Albanese.

Many complained on social media they could not select answers to the questions including if they had decided who they would vote for, which party would win the election, and who would make a better prime minister.

Technical issues prevented Australians from casting votes online.

Some viewers were given a “NaN%” error message when they tried to vote.

Nine urged viewers to keep trying and acknowledged there were major problems with its voting system.

“Due to a huge amount of traffic to our website the voting page is lagging a little,” Nine stated.

“Please hang in there — we’re working on it — and if you refresh your page you should be able to vote soon.

“We will keep you posted with any updates.”

Further complicating the situation, the broadcaster called the debate prematurely.

Initially, Nine awarded the debate to Mr Albanese, with 49 per cent to Mr Morrison’s 45 per cent and 6 per cent undecided [on preferred prime minister].

Then the channel gave Mr Morrison victory with 52 per cent of votes compared to 48 per cent for Mr Albanese.

Nine finished its broadcast with the leaders locked on 50-50, after more than 30,000 votes were tallied.

Originally published as Federal Election: Nine’s Great Debate vote website crashes