Jeff Kennett lashes lord mayoral vote counters

FORMER premier Jeff ­Kennett has blasted electoral ­authorities for taking a week to count votes for Melbourne’s lord ­mayoral by-election.

FORMER premier Jeff ­Kennett has blasted electoral ­authorities for taking a week to count votes for Melbourne’s lord ­mayoral by-election.

Mr Kennett said it was ­ridiculous that with voting ­officially closing last night, the Victorian Electoral Commission couldn’t announce the ­result until next Friday evening.

“It’s a poor reflection on being a modern and efficient VEC,” he said.

LORD MAYOR CANDIDATE PLEDGES CBD SCHOOL TO HELP HOMELESS YOUTH

CAPP PLEDGES WIDER TRAM ZONES

Jeff ­Kennett has blasted electoral ­authorities for taking a week to count votes for Melbourne’s lord ­mayoral by-election. Picture: Adam Head

The VEC has indicated “counting activities” will take place throughout next week and valid postal votes will ­continue to be accepted until midday on Friday.

Ballot paper data will be fed into computers from next Thursday and the result calculated at about 7pm next Friday.

But a VEC spokesman said that next Friday was the earliest possible date a result could be calculated and published because of valid postal votes still being received on that day.

“One thing the VEC will not do is sacrifice accuracy for a quick result — and we’re sure the candidates would agree given what is at stake,” he said.

“Due to the high candidate numbers and large enrolment, the computer count system is being used as the most reliable and accurate method.”

[e-mail]