18 October 2004
Media Release
Rodney District Council

Tied result is resolved

The tie between June Turner and John Ross for the third Rodney District Northern Ward Council seat has been resolved by drawing a lot, as required by the Local Electoral Regulations 2001.

John Ross’s name was drawn by Sgt Steve Hawkins of the Whangaparaoa Police Station on Saturday 16 October.

Rodney District Council Chief Executive Vijaya Vaidyanath said the procedure of a tie-breaking draw was approved by the Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske after he had consulted the regulations.

“Mr Ofsoske advised me to proceed to supervise the drawing of a lot after reviewing Part 3 section 79 (5) of the regulations. These say that if “... there is an equality of votes between the candidates and the addition of 1 vote would entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the Electoral Officer must determine by lot which candidate is to be declared elected.”

“I understand that the Electoral Officer will formally declare the election results on Monday. John Ross and the other Councillors declared elected will be sworn in on Wednesday.”

The other candidate, Mrs. Turner, tied with Mr Ross on 2587. She announced at the end of the lot-drawing procedure that she would be seeking a recount.

This requires making an application to the North Shore District Court before Wednesday 20 October.

Mr Ross remains a Councillor unless the recount process changes the previous tied result in Mrs Turners’ favour.

ends

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