There’s been a break-in at the Ballarat City Council election office.
The VEC has advised that 1,350 unmarked ballot papers and petty cash were stolen, but Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said the theft poses no risk to the integrity of the election.
Mr Bluemmel said, “While electoral theft is a serious offence, the unmarked ballot papers pose no risk to the integrity of the election as they could not be used to vote in this election.”
‘For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the election, only ballot papers returned to us inside completed ballot paper envelopes are able to be included in the count,’ Mr Bluemmel said.
Police are investigating and the public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers with any information about the theft.
Media Release: Victorian Electoral Commission