A late ballot discovery has reshaped the final outcome in South Australia’s tightly contested Narungga electorate, with One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas strengthening her win following an urgent recount.
Pauline Hanson said the result confirmed Thomas’s position after the Electoral Commission of South Australia uncovered a group of previously uncounted ballots during a review of the count.
“The recount for the seat of Narungga, South Australia, where a missing box of ballot papers was found has been completed,” Hanson said.
“I want to congratulate One Nation’s new MP Chantelle Thomas as she has increased her margin of victory from 58 to 74 votes after the count.”
The final recount was ordered after officials identified a batch of ballots that had not been included in the original tally for the closely watched regional seat.
Chantelle Thomas had initially been declared the winner by just 58 votes. However, the inclusion of the previously uncounted papers increased her margin to 73–74 votes over Liberal candidate Tania Stock.
The Electoral Commission of South Australia confirmed the additional ballots were discovered during routine reconciliation processes, prompting a full recount to ensure accuracy and transparency.
The revised result is expected to close a highly scrutinised chapter in one of the state’s closest contests, with officials noting the importance of maintaining confidence in the integrity of the count.
Thomas previously thanked voters following her initial win, saying she was “honoured to fight for all of you” and committed to representing the electorate.
The final outcome now confirms a slightly wider margin, reducing uncertainty over the result and easing pressure on electoral officials following the discovery of the missing ballots.
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