NT local government election 2025: Amye Un flags dodgy duplicate how-to-vote cards
The NT Electoral Commission is investigating allegations of potential voter fraud at the City of Darwin election.
The Northern Territory Electoral Commission is investigating allegations of unauthorised how to vote cards at the City of Darwin elections.
The NTEC confirmed it is scrutinising allegations made against candidates, including Leah Potter and mayoral frontrunner Peter Styles, about allegedly dodgy campaign material.
Mr Styles denied on Saturday he was involved in the production or distribution of unauthorised campaign material.
But Leah Potter confirmed her involvement, claiming she had printed how-to-vote cards for both Ms Un and another candidate, Vicki Bonson, at their request during the election campaign.
She said her actions were taken in full knowledge of the other candidates.
The NTEC told the NT News on Friday it was reviewing issues around unofficial how to vote materials after claims of dirty tricks by candidates.
Lord Mayoral candidate Amye Un told this masthead her complaint to the NTEC related to an unauthorised how-to-vote card that recommended placing Mr Styles second on the Lord Mayoral ballot paper, behind Ms Un.
She said other candidates including Ms Bonson had also complained to the NTEC about a card produced for her that preferenced Mr Styles third.
Ms Bonson has been contacted for comment.
Ms Un’s official how to vote card - printed on an A4 sized sheet of paper – advised voters to place Mr Styles at fourth on the ballot paper behind candidates Leah Potter and Julie Fraser.
The official how to vote card was printed by Top End Print at 5 Durand Court, Coconut Grove and included her address.
The allegedly bogus how to vote card – which is smaller in size – stated it was printed at Officeworks, and doesn’t contain Ms Un’s address.
The NTEC statement to the NT News stressed that campaign material must be authorised.
“The Northern Territory Electoral Commission was made aware of the matter regarding how to vote materials unofficially by the candidate on election day,” the statement said.
“The candidate was advised to submit the details of the matter in writing to the NTEC for review, this is consistent with the NTEC’s feedback and complaints process.
“On Wednesday August 27, additional information regarding the matter was verbally provided by the candidate to the NTEC. In response, NTEC have requested that the complaint be submitted formally in writing to support a review by the NTEC.
“The NTEC received three additional complaints about the matter and is currently reviewing the information provided.
“Complainants must establish the facts which are the basis of the allegation and be supported by evidence of any alleged electoral offence. If insufficient evidence is not provided further information may be sought to allow for proper assessment of the complaint.
“Campaign material must be authorised by the person or entity that produces them. “Authorisation rules are in place to enhance transparency by allowing people to know the origin and funding of the campaign material and allow people to decide for themselves how much they value or trust the campaign material.”
The statement said failure to authorise campaign material is an offence with a maximum penalty of $18,900 under Section 164(1) of the 2019 Local Government Act.
Mr Styles told the NT News that he was aware that another candidate had ‘done some artwork’ but said: “I know nothing about any other stuff going on with the candidates.”
In a written follow-up to the NT News, Mr Styles reaffirmed he “played no part in the design, production or distribution of any other candidates’ election campaign material”.
Leah Potter, who polled about three per cent of the lord mayoral vote on Saturday, confirmed printing 100 how to vote cards for Amye Un and Vicki Bonson.
She said Ms Un appeared to change her mind when she sent her a proof on August 8, in advance of the commencement of pre-polling.
“I did both these girls’ cards to help them out,” Ms Potter said.
“On election day Vicky and Amye had a massive fight in front of everyone because Amye said Vicky gave the wrong ones out.
“Nobody gave any of the wrong ones out and now everybody’s fighting. I did what I could to help those girls out and get them some cards for (prepolling).
“Now we are all in this squabble and poor Peter (Styles) has been dragged into something he didn’t even know about.”
Mr Styles currently sits about 600 first preference votes ahead of his nearest rival, incumbent Kon Vatskalis, in City of Darwin’s Lord Mayoral contest.
Voter preferences for City of Darwin will finalised late on Friday, with declaration of the polls expected Monday September 8.
