17 September 2008

Counting in the State’s 27 mayoral elections is nearing an end, with just three tight contests remaining.

The City of Sydney mayoral election has been officially declared. Clover Moore polled 34,085 votes compared to 9,066 for her nearest rival, therefore dispensing the need for a preferential count as occurred in 2004.

The remaining mayoral counts are continuing in Manly, Liverpool and Warringah councils and are too close to call.

There are two counting processes underway for the State’s 1344 councillor positions.

Complex ‘above and below the line’ ballot papers are being counted centrally at the NSW Electoral Commission’s Local Government Counting Centre at Riverwood. The preferential count is progressing on schedule to decide 165 elections in 66 council areas.

Local returning officers are finalising counts in smaller council areas with simple ballot papers. Final results are known in 57 of the 74 councils, with the distribution of preferences now underway for the remainder.

Election officials will finalise the counts for any referendums and polls once councillor positions have been elected.

The Local Government Counting Centre schedule for Riverwood is updated twice daily to reflect the dates of data entry and counting times and can be found at www.elections.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) expects to finalise all counting across the State by next Friday, 26 September.

Media Contact: Adrian Kerr, NSW Electoral Commission

(02) 9290 5954 or 0420958 316 adrian.kerr@elections.nsw.gov.au