Shock poll result for Eddy Sarroff as count shows change in Surfers Paradise Broadbeach division
There has been a major development in the ultra-tight race between Eddy Sarroff and Darren Taylor, leading to renewed optimism in one camp.
Council Election 2020
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EDDY Sarroff in a shock move has overtaken rival Darren Taylor in the most hotly contested Gold Coast City Council division, giving his supporters renewed confidence of him returning to City Hall.
The potential election of Mr Sarroff, a former long serving councillor, would see him representing the super tourism division of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach but opposed to Mayor Tom Tate’s pet project of an offshore cruise ship terminal.
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Mr Taylor, the son of retired councillor Paul Taylor, had been about 12 votes ahead since counting started on Saturday night, but The Bulletin has obtained new figures from overnight showing Mr Sarroff ahead by about 50 votes.
Mr Sarroff is polling at least 50 votes ahead of Mr Taylor in Main Beach where he spoke to resident leaders before the election and assured them he would not vote for a CST at Philip Park on The Spit.
Mr Taylor, a popular volunteer with sporting and community clubs, as expected polled strongly in Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland has advised candidates in Division 10 that postal votes would arrive during the next 2 weeks along with absentee votes from other divisions and a Brisbane City Hall booth.
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Mr Sarroff has done a preference deal with tourism identity Mike Winlaw while Mr Taylor secured an arrangement on how-to-vote cards with top radio broadcaster Adrian Johnston.
Mr Winlaw is outpolling Mr Johnston, and Mr Sarroff sent out a letter to residents advising them how to vote — poll analysts suggest this will help maintain a lead.
Mr Sarroff is reluctant to speculate on an outcome but he sent a message overnight on Facebook to his supporters.
“Hope you are all well and staying safe. On the election front, with 15,000 votes counted I am now leading with 55 votes,” he told supporters.
“I have never seen an election so close. Early indications shows that preferences are going my way.
“Still waiting for postals and hope the Electoral Commission can move a little faster. Thanks everyone and let’s stay positive.”
Meanwhile, campaign teams in Division 6 have confirmed a formal complaint will be lodged with the ECQ after seniors in aged care did not get to vote.
“As the final result in Division 6, on current trends, is likely to be line ball, this a very serious anomaly that requires immediate address,” a campaign manager told supporters.
Brooke Patterson is ahead of rival Shaelee Welchman but both Ms Welchman and Susie Gallagher, another candidate, support a review of the count.
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