Election material issue for Liberal branch president standing as an Independent

Budgewoi ward candidate in the September 14 council election Doug Eaton says teething problems were to blame for election material being removed at the Blue Haven pre-poll booth on Saturday.

“The returning officer requested a minor amendment to my posters which I agreed to despite my view as a solicitor that they were in order,” Eaton said.

“I note they also required Team Central Coast to make minor amendments to their posters which they also made,” he said.

“These teething issues often arise but have been fully resolved.”

The issue arose with the how to vote card that had the word Liberal under Eaton’s name.

Eaton is the president of the Warnervale branch of the Liberal Party but he is standing as an Independent.

The Liberal Party Central Coast Local Government Committee called Eaton’s group “liberal linked”.

Eaton’s candidacy has caused some confusion, with accusations of misrepresentation from rival candidates over the word Liberal appearing on election materials despite Eaton not being officially endorsed by the Party.

The Liberal Party itself has remained tight-lipped on the issue, ignoring repeated requests from CCN for clarification.

Team Central Coast material was registered with the Electoral Commission but the authorisation was not on the material.

The NSW Electoral Commission said it worked with candidates throughout the election period to ensure their electoral material complied with legislative requirements.

“Any complaints or allegations about electoral material are investigated by our compliance team,” the spokesperson said.

“Where possible the compliance team makes contact with election participants to resolve any compliance issues before taking further action.”

She said two key requirements are that electoral material is authorised during the regulated election period August 5 to September 14 and registered with the Electoral Commission if it is distributed on election day.

Authorised and registered election material is posted on the Commission’s website.