Sunday

Sunday, 25 March 2007

Media Release

POLLING BOOTH HAZARD LEAVES VOTERS ANGRY

Cr Ngo has written to the NSW Electoral Commissioner to changes to voting procedures at Cabramatta PCYC polling booth, the largest in the Cabramatta state electorate.

Cr Ngo said this year the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) decided to use a smaller hall and changing the entrance from McBurney Road to Railway Parade.

“The smaller hall lead to queues stretching around the block and a wait of up to one hour” said Cr Ngo.

“The new entrance meant that voters were subjected to direct and penetrating sunlight.

Cr Ngo said this was unacceptable: “I personally witnessed the extreme discomfort of the elderly and voters with small children”.

According to Cr Ngo, the congestion caused many pedestrians to walk on the road on both busy Railway Parade and McBurney Road : “This is just simply dangerous” he said.

He fielded many complaints from voters and passed this on to Polling Officials on the day. He also saw many voters complaining directly to Polling Officials.

Cr Ngo also fears the difficulties on polling day may cause some to abandon the queue and not vote at all.

“We should be encouraging residents to take part in Australia ’s democratic process and not make voting such an extreme hazard” said Cr Ngo.

Cr Ngo has written to the Mr Colin Barry, NSW Electoral Commissioner to express the community’s concern and to ask that the larger PCYC hall be used for future elections.

“I have taken several photographs which clearly illustrate the dangers” said Cr Ngo.

“Let’s hope we get a sensible solution, because the Federal Election is just months away” he concluded.

Contact: Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo – 0410 33 88 33 (m)