Security guards patrol Redland polling booths after supervisor complains of aggressive behaviour

Security guards have been brought in to patrol polling stations in Redland after claims a chair was shoved into a volunteer, an elderly woman had her drink bottle stolen and aggression was shown to a supervising official.

Security guards have been sent to patrol polling booths across Redland after reports of aggressive behaviour. NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING. Pictures: Contributed

Security guards are making sure hundreds of voters remain orderly after they were forced to queue to vote at Redland Bay.

Guards were positioned at all three polling booths across Redland City after hundreds of complaints to the Electoral Commission of Queensland during the two weeks of early voting.

Uniformed Security guards have been posted at Capalaba ahead of this weekends council elections. NO ONE IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING. Photo Scott Powick

Tempers hit fever pitch yesterday afternoon in Redland after an ambulance and police were called to Capalaba voting centre after the 84-year-old mother of mayoral candidate Andrew Laming fell off a chair.

Police are investigating the incident, which occurred while Mr Laming was unsuccessfully defending a Supreme Court injunction brought by his opponent Jos Mitchell.

Ms Mitchell won her bid to stop Mr Laming from using signs claiming Ms Mitchell had “green-funding” links.

Warnings were also issued to mayoral candidates about poor behaviour after some volunteers allegedly interfered with the work of a mobile polling team issuing votes while explaining instructions on the ballot paper to aged voters.

A security guard outside the Capalaba booth. NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING. Picture: Contributed

All Mr Laming’s signs about Ms Mitchell have been removed from all polling stations in Redland.

More than 10 voters interviewed while queuing at Redland Bay Community Hall on Saturday said they wanted a change in the council and were angry the council had failed to solve the lack of free parking for island residents at Weinam Creek.

Candidate for Redland Division 6 Jasper Every said yesterday’s Supreme Court result was a victory for mayoral candidate Jos Mitchell.

Mr Every is running as a member of Ms Mitchell’s Leading Change team.

“People are telling me that after 12 years of the current council that it’s time for change and people with new ideas and drive to deliver for Redlands.

“In particular they are interested in better infrastructure in the southern end of the city.

“Great outcome in the Supreme Court yesterday and it means you can’t bully people during an election campaign.”

Volunteers hand out cards at Cleveland. NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING. Picture: Contributed

Letters were sent on Wednesday after complaints volunteers had pushed in between voters and campaign workers “to effectively force” a how-to-vote card on to a voter.

Other incidents reported to ECQ included a chair being pushed into a campaign worker causing her to fall over on to a recently replaced knee requiring hospital and physio.

Reports also allegedly included complaints about volunteers talking loudly on mobile phones making it difficult for hearing-impaired voters to hear ECQ staff.

It is understood that the letters claimed some volunteers had interfered with the work of a mobile polling team issuing votes while they explained instructions on the ballot paper to aged voters.

A security guard at Redland Bay on Saturday morning. NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING.

The letters are believed to have outlined alleged incidents which included “unacceptably aggressive behaviour” at all stations including the Capalaba booth, where an elderly volunteer alleged that her drink bottle had been stolen by other volunteers, along with signs.

No arrests or charges have been made in relation to the claims.

Letters were sent on Wednesday after complaints of volunteers pushing in between voters and campaign workers “to effectively force” a How to Vote card on to a voter.

Mayoral candidate Andrew Laming with his mother, Estelle Laming, who has been volunteering at the Capalaba booth. NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING. Picture: Contributed

There were also reports of “unacceptable aggressive behaviour” to an ECQ supervisor at the Capalaba booth with the ECQ supervisor describing the incident as “in her face” and intimidating.

Other incidents reported to ECQ included a chair being pushed into a campaign worker causing her to fall over on to a recently replaced knee requiring hospital and physio and volunteers talking loudly on a mobile phone making it difficult for hearing-impaired voters to hear ECQ staff.

Under the Local Government Electoral Act, it is an offence to obstruct the free passage of electors and there are clear guidelines for vote canvassing and distributing election material and how-to-vote cards.

An ECQ spokesperson said swift action was taken to address any undesirable behaviour at all early voting centres and on election day.

The spokesman said the Queensland Protective Services staff would be at each early voting centre at Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point, and also at polling booths on election day.

Additional ECQ staff would also be at voting centres to assist with queue controlling and liaising with police and the security guards.

“Engagement of these staff will form part of the costs of the election which are delivered by the ECQ on a cost recovery basis,” the ECQ spokesman said.

“We encourage candidates and their campaign staff to maintain a standard of conduct which is in keeping with community expectations.

“The ECQ’s priority is to ensure electors are able to access the polling booths and exercise their democratic right to cast a vote.”

Mayoral candidate Jos Mitchell (left, pictured with supporters at Cleveland booth). NO ONE DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE IS ACCUSED OF ANY WRONGDOING

Mayoral candidate Jos Mitchell said security staff were at polling booths to ensure compliance and keep people safe.

“There are phone voting options if you want to avoid this awful situation,” she told her followers.

“I am so sad to see our democracy being eroded by the kind of tactics being employed.

“You can ring ECQ and cast a phone vote.

“Thank you to every person who has volunteered and is helping to combat this kind of conduct while still turning up with a smile.”

Mr Sutton is believed to have told some candidates that those disobeying the rules would be given a final warning before being asked to leave and if they did not comply when asked to leave, police force would be used.

ECQ said police involvement would be a last resort to protect the interests of voters and others in the vicinity.