Australians unable to cast Great Debate votes as website crashes

Australians have been left unable to have their say during the leaders’ debate due to an embarrassing website failure from Channel 9.

Australians watching Channel 9’s broadcast of the Great Debate have expressed frustration over technical issues preventing them from casting votes online.

Viewers of Sunday evening’s 60 Minutes program were encouraged to scan a QR to vote on matters pertaining to the debate between Labor’s Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Many have however been unable to select answers to the questions, which included if they had decided who they would vote for, which party would win the election, and who would make a better prime minister.

Still not working #leadersdebatepic.twitter.com/WI03kQjEAB

— Lenore Taylor (@lenoretaylor) May 8, 2022

According to screenshots shared to Twitter, some viewers were given a “NaN%” error message when trying to select an answer.

Others showed the answer “coalition” was given twice in response to the question, “which party do you think will win the election?”.

Scott Morrison. Picture: Channel 9

Anthony Albanese. Picture: Channel 9

“I have an inkling this Channel 9 poll might not be working,” someone wrote of the issue.

Another sarcastically commented: “Channel 9’s interactive voting working really well. When asked which party will win the election you can choose the Coalition twice”.

I have an inkling this channel 9 poll might not be working. #auspol#debatepic.twitter.com/57f9FtJwaS

— Elliot Stein (@ElliotJStein) May 8, 2022

So glad that this debate is hosted by an unbiased media organisation.#[e-mail]/eCaEBJ7cW6

— Andrew Mackenzie (@A_A_Mackenzie) May 8, 2022

Host Sarah Abo addressed the problem after the first break, asking viewers to “please be patient” with the network’s website.

“We have had a huge response online from you. If you are struggling with the website at the moment, please be patient and refresh and you will get through,” she said.

A note later added to the voting page assured viewers they would get a chance to have their say.

“We are experiencing high volumes of traffic at the moment. Please bear with us and you will have the chance to have your say,” it read.

Ms Abo reiterated her plea later in the program in response to Australians who had expressed frustration over technical issues.

“You still have time to scan the QR code on your screen and give your verdict about who won tonight. We know there is a huge volume of traffic,” she said.

“It shows the audience is engaged and we thank you for that. Do keep trying, because you will get through.”