General News
17 December, 2022
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council by-election declared
THE Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has declared Hezron Murgha the successful candidate at the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council councillor by-election.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said Mr Murgha received 36 per cent of the votes, with Michael Sands receiving 27 per cent, Errol (Mala) Neal receiving 19 per cent and Gregory Fourmile 16 per cent.
“The official election day was Saturday, December 10, and while there are a small number of outstanding postal and in-person declaration votes, the remaining postal votes cannot change the result,” Mr Vidgen said.
“Nevertheless, any of those votes received which have been formally cast will be added to the votes received by the relevant candidate.”
Mr Vidgen said 99 per cent of the ballot papers counted were formal or valid, which was a pleasing result, but that the low voter turnout was disappointing.
“Of the 1,399 enrolled electors in Yarrabah, only 658 voted in the byelection,” he said.
“137 Yarrabah residents cast their votes during the early voting period, with the remainder choosing to vote on election day.”
Nominations were open from the Notice of Election on Friday, November 11, until Monday, November 21.
Mr Vidgen said the by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor David Baird on November 9, 2022.
The Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council by-election information, including all the results, is on the ECQ website at ecq.qld.gov.au.
