Former Katter's Australian Party MP Nick Dametto is leading the count in the Townsville mayoral by-election, with over 43,000 ballots tallied as of Saturday night. The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) reported that Dametto has secured 61% of the votes counted so far.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former mayor Troy Thompson amid a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation. Thompson has denied wrongdoing and is again contesting the role. Eight candidates are vying for the mayoral position, with nine listed on the ballot.
The ECQ stated that a winner will be declared once the outcome is certain, which may not occur on Saturday night. About 142,000 enrolled voters reside in the Townsville City Council area, making this the largest full postal ballot conducted by the ECQ.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said staff are counting first preference votes, with results updated online progressively. All votes had to be completed by 6pm on November 15 and received by the ECQ by 5pm on November 25.
