Source : Perth Now news
Labor look set to score an election win after a Liberal challenger conceded defeat at a heated by-election.
Thousands of voters headed to the polls in the South Ward of Liverpool City Council on Saturday, in an election triggered by the resignation of Labor councillor Betty Green.
While the final result may still be days away, nearly 50,000 votes were counted on Saturday evening and showed Labor candidate Zeli Munjiza was leading nearest challenger Liberal Azam Dabbagh by more than 6000 votes.
Mr Dabbagh, in a post to Facebook on Saturday night, said he had called Ms Munjiza to concede.
He said: “I’ve called Zeli and I’ve congratulated her. I’ve conceded so congratulations Zeli.
“It was an awesome experience and it was lovely meeting you and your family.
“It was a pretty short experience – it’s two weeks to organise all this so thanks to all the supporters. Liverpool, I just want to say thank you for all your support.”
NSW Electoral Commission data shows more than 44,000 in person votes were counted on Saturday, along with nearly 4,800 postal votes.
The count will continue into next week.
Ms Munjiza has 37.2 per cent of the counted first preference votes, Mr Dabbah 20.7 per cent.
There were 11 candidates in total on the ballot paper, with eight independents and a Community Voice of Australia representative.
The result will be a blow to Liberal mayor Ned Mannoun whose party hold five of the 11 seats on the council. Labor now holds four, and two are independent.
Ms Munjiza wrote in a post: “I have received a call from Azam Dabbagh and the Mayor to congratulate us on our victory. It’s a win that belongs to all of us.
“Now the real work begins!
“I’m excited to join my Liverpool Labor colleagues on Council where we will work together every day for you.”
