Voting irregularities being investigated ahead of SA council election count

The Electoral Commission of South Australia says it is investigating suspected voting irregularities in the elections of three local councils.

Returned ballots from the Adelaide, Marion and West Torrens councils have been identified for further scrutiny.

Counting of ballots is due to start tomorrow in council elections across the state.

South Australian council elections are conducted via a postal vote that ended yesterday.

Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry has written to candidates in the affected council areas to inform them of the investigations.

He said 490 returned declaration envelopes in the City of Marion “appear to have been submitted by the same individuals”.

The commission is still working out whether they will be counted tomorrow.

Rejected envelopes will not be opened.

In the City of Adelaide, the commission is scrutinising 90 envelopes after reports some ballot papers were collected from apartment buildings in the Central Ward.

Mr Sherry had previously refused to comment on the investigation.

In the City of West Torrens, the commission is investigating enrolments on the supplementary voters roll, which is open to businesses and foreign citizens.

Fifty envelopes are being scrutinised.

Along with the elections of mayors and councillors across the state, a plebiscite is being held on whether to merge the Mount Gambier and Grant councils in what could become a template for council mergers in the future.

Voting is not compulsory in council elections.

About one-third of the 1.2 million eligible voters have sent back their ballots.