Electoral Commission Queensland under fire for as residents allege missing postal vote kits

The Electoral Commission Queensland is being accused of another council election bungle with residents claiming they did not receive postal votes kits in time.

Generic: Electoral Commision of Queensland ballot box, vote, voting, polling booth, democracy. Picture: Zizi Averill

The Electoral Commission Queensland is being accused of another council election bungle with residents claiming they did not receive postal votes kits in time – an error that could see them slapped with $154 fines.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath last week announced ECQ would be the subject of an external review to ensure any problems were ironed out ahead of the state election in October.

The scrutiny comes after angry voters were kept waiting up to two hours to cast their ballots on council election day amid claims of low electoral staff numbers, ballot shortages and electors being turned away.

Now more concerns have been raised about postal votes with several disgruntled residents claiming they were unable to vote due to postal vote kits never arriving.

Some took to the ECQ’s Facebook page to express frustration about a lack of communication after raising the issue with them via other channels.

“I contacted ECQ several times on Facebook until March 7,” one person told The Courier-Mail.

“I also emailed on the 15th and 16th, plus on the 17th and then I lodged a complaint.

“They haven’t responded to my emails yet.

“The only written communication I have had is via Facebook.”

Yvette D'Ath the Attorney-General. Photo Steve Pohlner

The ECQ has instructed affected electors to contact them but is yet to confirm whether they will be subject to the $154 fine for “failing” to vote.

Asked whether the ECQ was aware of the number of undelivered postal votes, an ECQ spokeswoman said all registered ballots had been dispatched.

They blamed failed deliveries on Australia Post.

“Postal vote applications received by the ECQ were processed for printing and lodgement with Australia Post from 14 February, following the close of nominations and subsequent ballot paper order draws,” she said.

“Once dispatched, delivery is dependent on Australia Post services.

“As postal vote applications opened from January 29, 2024, the ECQ did receive inquiries from some who had applied, and we were able to explain that postal ballot materials could not be produced until after the ballot paper order draw which was conducted on February 14.

“Any electors who did not receive their voting materials by election day March 16, 2024 should contact the ECQ.”

The Courier-Mail understands those affected did register for a postal vote prior to the 7pm cut off on March 4.

A spokeswoman for Australia Post defended its delivery record.

Voting in the local government elections. Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

“During elections, Australia Post implements measures to help meet community needs, such as weekend deliveries and additional processes to prioritise the delivery of postal votes and other electoral materials,” she said.

“For the recent Queensland council elections, we worked closely with the Electoral Commission of Queensland to facilitate delivery of mail items.

“The vast majority of items arrived safely and on time and we will continue to investigate.

The ECQ said it would consider contacting Queenslanders who “appear to have failed to vote” after the election.

“And there will be an opportunity for those people to provide us with a reason for not voting,” the spokeswoman said.