Results from the judicial recount for the Galatea-Murupara Ward of the Whakatāne District Council were released today following a tie of votes at the triennial election.
The final vote count released on 18 October 2019 showed that candidates Hinerangi Goodman and Alison Silcock had drawn with 262 votes each. Where this occurs the Local Electoral Regulations 2001 state that the successful candidate will be decided by lot, and this was undertaken on 18 October 2019 by Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske.
The successful candidate drawn by lot was Hinerangi Goodman, however a judicial recount was called for. This took place today under the supervision of a District Court Judge with the outcome determining Alison Silcock the successful candidate by a one vote margin. Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske says the recount process was carried out under strict conditions.
“A very prescribed and transparent process was undertaken to determine the outcome of the recount,” he says. “Both candidates had appointed scrutineers to observe the process.”
Mr Ofsoske says the next step will be for Alison Silcock to be sworn in at Council’s 7 November 2019 meeting.