Comments on: Late polling

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 07:30:41 +0000

Sorry I am reporting a concverstaion I had with the Commisioner. My nconcvern is that teh VEC has counted e-voting votes prior to teh close of teh ballot and in the absence of scruineers. I ahve raised questions in relation to this issue and rather then consutrutive discussion Mr Tully went into denial mode. Maybe teh mistake was with Glenda Frazer’s email. If the VEC had in fact accessed this data then it raises more questions in relation to teh probity od security of e-voting. I aklso have tried unsucessfully to obatin information on teh number of postal vots that hav been issued. Th VEC said it woul provide that information and five emails later and one phone call teh information is still outstanding. So much for maitaing an open and transparent electoral system. Maybe I should publish more of the various emails that have been floating around…

Open and YTranspaernt elctions systems is a must if we are to maintain public confidence. The inability of teh VEC to reson appropriatly and provide information as requeste is of serious concern.

We do not want another Florida situtation.. There are a number of questions that need answers not denial and avoidance. Tell me do you have teh data on the number of postal votes issued for each district.

QWe are looking at this election from two different aspects you are lloking at it from reporting teh results. I am interest in the scrutiny of the ballot and accessibility of information. More then happy to debate this further.

By: Antony Green

Antony Green — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 05:08:38 +0000

I’m with the Electoral Commissioner on this one. These E centre booths are like the Brisbane Town Hall or Sydney Town Hall booths at interstate elections. You don’t keep the system running all night to get those totals phoned through to returning officers and holding staff waiting for only a handful of votes. That e-mail just clarified discussions that had been going on for several weeks. And I actually rang the VEC last night to check what that meant.

I’ve got to say, the tendency for people to be putting their thoughts all over the internet on system tests is not helpful. What the VEC is reporting is exactly the standard which has been used at elections all around the country for the last decade. And many of the procedures they are adopting are actually designed to assist in reporting the results. That e-mail last night has allowed me to remove 7 booths from every district, now we know they are not being reported.

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 04:57:36 +0000

opps the comment “This email in my reading clearly indicates that the VEC had undertaken a preliminary count of the ballot contrary to the denial now given.”

“Most unprofessional. Maybe they have something to hide..”

Is my additon.. Not part of the letter

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 04:49:44 +0000

You be the judge…

Below is a copy of the letter sent to all the media by Glenda Fraser.

From: Glenda Frazer
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2006 8:37 AM
Subject: Late update to results

A late update to all regarding the votes taken at our 6 E Centres and Melbourne Airport. Each centre mentioned will be taking votes for all Districts in the State, additionally each of these centres will be counting all votes taken on election day. After analysing the number of voting centre results entered last night for 1st prefs (District and Region) and 2 CP we have realised that everyone could be waiting around all night for what would be dribs and drabs that we do not anticipate would make an impact on the result. Because of this we have decided that we will not be entering these small results on election night. These will be entered on Sunday during the day.

Many apologies for those people who I have misinformed this afternoon, as I said this is a late change. We do not anticipate large numbers of votes from these centres. I will keep in touch with progress reports.

This email in my reading clearly indicates that the VEC had undertaken a preliminary count of the ballot contrary to the denial now given.

Most unprofessional. Maybe they have something to hide..

Regards – Glenda

Glenda Frazer
Manager, Election Services
Victorian Electoral Commission
T 03 9299 0590
F 03 9621 1204
M 0413 043 012
http://www.vec.vic.gov.au

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 04:43:55 +0000

UPDATE:

I have just recived a rather abusive phone call from the VEC Commissioner Mr Tully who was reposndng to my emails expressing concern at the failure of teh VEC to provide information on the number of postal votes that had been received and issues surrounding earlier reports and emails from Glenda Frazer iondicating that the VEC had unertaled a preliminary count of e-voting center votes. Mr Tully was wuit ausive and was in denial of the fact that the VEC has in fact counted the electonic ballots. When I pointed out tehemail that had been sent by Glenda Frazer which clearly indicated that the VEc had in fact counted the votes again he trued to avoid teh question and made false accuastions. Still outstranding is the number of postal votes that has been issued. My Tully assured me that this information was available but afyter having been told that it would be made available and five emails later on infmration has been forthcomming. I have had a number of candiadtes make direct contact seeking the same. I think somehpo0w the VEc may have erred in having accessed this informtation. The phone call came immediately after I lodged a formal complaint and notified the media.

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 03:21:17 +0000

A tally of the Postal votes issued is still outstanding in site five e-mails and one ohine call (As of 2:00PM). Ity appears that the VEC is not wanting or is unable to provide a total tally of the number of ballot papers they have issued. Quite extrodinary really.

More questions raised as to teh appropiateness of teh VEC undertaking a preliminary tally of e-polling results in the absence of scrutineers. Informatoon available indicates that no candoadtes have been informed or invited to appoint scrutineers. Serious questions go unansered as the closes ranks knowing that this could become an issue if the election is close and an applictaion for a review is made to the court of disputed returns. Victoria faces an inquiry along the lines of problems associate with the US electonic voting system.

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 03:15:55 +0000

If you arte interested you can down load the xml results file throughout the night. The link can be found at the bottom of the tallyroom page.

http://www.tallyroom.vic.gov.au/

The file is dated and will be progressivly updated.

By: Tristan Jones

Tristan Jones — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 02:50:53 +0000

My prediction, the Labor party only losing a handful of seats to the Liberals. The Greens do not win any lower house seats, although pick up a few upper house ones. The Nationals lose Rodney to the Liberals.

The upper house could be interesting, depending on the results and preference flows.

By: Geoff R

Geoff R — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 01:17:51 +0000

Carbines does have personal supporters but I suspect most of them would be Labor or Green voters anyway.

By: Melb city

Melb city — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 00:44:36 +0000

I thought third was a bit generous. Maybe forth would have neen about right. The fact is maost people will vote above the line. If Labour falls short of 50% which is required to elect 3 members then depedning on the size of the surplus ie the amount above 33.34% then she is in with a chance or she will feed the DLP. If the DLP do not survive then the NP are next in line. The greens are out of reahc already. INternal opolling indicates that teh ALP vbpte is not as strong in the regional centers (Bendigo, Ballarat, Gellong) Geelong has been the focus of a number of corruption inquries the outcome of which will not be known untol after the election. Good or bad it leaves a bad smell. I would not be holding out for a third spot and would nopt place a bet on the outcome. Analysis indictaes it’s the closest of all the regions.