Victorian Electoral Commission declares Liberal Louise Staley the winner in Ripon by just 15 votes
The Liberals appear to have held on to their most marginal seat — but only just. This is how many votes separated MP Louise Stalety and Labor candidate Sarah De Santis.
Victoria State Election
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Liberal MP Louise Staley appears to have clinched victory in Ripon by just 15 votes.
The Victorian Electoral Commissioned announced last night a re-count had fallen in Ms Staley’s favour.
Little more than a dozen ballots separated Ms Staley and Labor candidate Sarah De Santis once 40,055 votes had been counted.
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The VEC has taken two weeks after the November 24 poll to declare a winner in the western Victorian seat.
Ms Staley won Ripon — the Liberals’ most marginal seat — in 2014 with a margin of just 0.8 per cent.
It was heavily targeted by Labor, with a number of visits from Premier Daniel Andrews, during the election campaign.
Initial counting put Ms De Santis ahead of Ms Staley before a recount was called.
A number of senior Liberal, including state director Nick Demiris, newly-elected deputy leader Cindy McLeish and upper house leader and deputy leader David Davis and Georgie Crozier, all headed to Ripon to act as scrutineers.
All ballot papers have now been checked at least three times.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said the recount was needed to ensure the final result was accurate.
“There has been a high level of scrutiny on the Ripon election given the narrow margin of votes,” he said.
It is expected that a formal declaration for Ripon will be held on Monday.
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