Victorian state election 2018: Labor’s court threat over ballots with ex-Liberal Meralyn Klein

Labor is threatening Supreme Court action to force the electoral commission to pulp ballot papers, which list a former Liberal as the party’s candidate despite her resigning over her role in an anti-Muslim video.

LABOR is threatening Supreme Court action to force the electoral commission to pulp ballot papers which list a former Liberal as the party’s candidate.

Meralyn Klein resigned as the Liberal candidate for the marginal seat of Yan Yean last Wednesday night, after she appeared in an anti-Muslim video with an extremist right-wing party.

LIBERAL QUITS OVER INAPPROPRIATE VIDEO

KLEIN PICTURED AT ANTI-ISLAM CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

But because nominations for the state election had already closed, Ms Klein remains on the ballot paper as the Liberal candidate, instead of as an independent.

The Herald Sun can reveal Labor has asked the Victorian Electoral Commission to reprint the ballot papers “so voters are not misled at polling booths”.

Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gateley told Labor state secretary Sam Rae yesterday that there was “no mechanism” for Ms Klein to formally withdraw as the endorsed Liberal candidate after nominations had closed.

In a letter, seen by the Herald Sun, Mr Gately said: “Accordingly, the election must continue with the candidates for Yan Yean District as listed on the ballot paper, which reflects the status at the close of nominations.”

Meralyn Klein features in anti-Muslim video posted by the Australian Liberty Alliance. Picture: Supplied

Mr Rae had told Mr Gately that Labor reserved the right to commence urgent Supreme Court action to force the ballot papers to be reprinted.

Labor is also concerned that the Liberal Party registered how-to-vote cards after Ms Klein was disendorsed which told voters to support her.

It is believed the VEC does not believe these how-to-vote cards are misleading, given she could not formally withdraw as the Liberal candidate.

The Herald Sun contacted Liberal state director Nick Demiris and Ms Klein about the issue.

The VEC has not received any formal advice from the Liberal Party about Ms Klein being disendorsed.

The Herald Sun has also been told Ms Klein’s blue Liberal-branded car was seen at a Yan Yean early voting booth over the weekend, even though she has produced new campaign material describing herself as an independent.

“Standing strong for the people of Yan Yean … It’s time for Klein,” her new how-to-vote card says.

“I will not be bullied by any political parties or people affiliated with them. I will continue to fight for the people of our community and stand up for what is right.”

Labor MP Danielle Green holds Yan Yean on a margin of just 3.7 per cent.

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