http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/hanson-requests-new-vote-count-and-a-please-explain-20110413-1de85.html
Hanson requests new vote count and a please explain Brian Robins
April 14, 2011
An Open Day With a Difference May 6 - 8. A Truly Amazing Event
PAULINE HANSON wants a recount and described the computerised counting system as ''not fair'' after falling 1306 votes short of a NSW upper house seat.
The former One Nation leader, who stood as an independent, said preferences were not distributed fairly and raised concerns about the randomised preference system used by the NSW Electoral Commission to distribute surplus votes.
Ms Hanson said she would seek legal advice about requesting a recount and write to the Electoral Commission about her concerns. ''It's not just about Pauline Hanson,'' she said. ''We need to make sure that this is a fair and just election. I just don't feel that this election was conducted this way.''
Before preferences, Ms Hanson led the Nationals by 7540 votes and the Greens - who took the 20th spot - by 15,470.
Apart from her concerns about the random distribution of preferences, she was upset by reports a scrutineer had discovered 15 votes for her in a bundle of blank votes. ''And that's just one bundle that we found,'' she said. ''I haven't got the resources that major political parties have for people to stand there watching it. I want to ensure I did get every vote I was entitled to.''
A NSW Electoral Commission spokesman said a recount would depend on a ruling by the Court of Disputed Returns. Any aggrieved party had 40 days to lodge an appeal after yesterday's return of the election writs.
The NSW president of One Nation, Richard Putral, said the voting system was unduly complex, arguing many had voted above the line for Ms Hanson, but their votes were ruled invalid.
Brian Robins; AAP
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Pretty much proof elections are farces.
