Police investigate break-in at the Ballarat election office

Thursday 10 October 2024

For immediate release

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Victoria Police were called to the Ballarat City Council election office this morning after a reported break-in overnight, with the intruders forcing their way into a locked zone used to store valuable items.

The Victorian Electoral Commission can confirm that a small amount of petty cash and a box containing 1,350 unmarked ballot papers for the Ballarat City Council election were taken from the premises.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel assured voters that while electoral theft is a serious offence, the unmarked ballot papers pose no risk to the integrity of the election as they could not be used to vote in this election.

‘For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the election, only ballot papers returned to us inside completed ballot paper envelopes are able to be included in the count,’ Mr Bluemmel said.

‘We thank our election office staff for their quick response and for quickly reporting it to local police.’

Anyone with information that can assist police in relation to this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.