Published on Friday, 3 February 2023 at 2:35:25 PM

On 27 January 2023, the Magistrates Court of Western Australia ordered that part of the Shire’s court costs are to be paid by the two individuals that had earlier been convicted separately of stealing mail which had led to the Shire commencing legal proceedings to declare the result of the 2021 Ordinary election in the North Ward invalid.

The decision by the Court to order that Mr. Ved Tewari and Ms. Amandeep Rosha pay $10,000 each in the Shire’s legal costs sends a clear message that tampering with election results will not be tolerated.

Quotes attributed to Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale President Cr Michelle Rich

“Good governance and electoral integrity are fundamental principles to local democracy,"

“By taking the unprecedented legal action to challenge the validity of the 2021 election, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has shown its commitment to upholding these principles.

“This ruling serves as a reminder to all to respect the electoral process and to refrain from any actions that could compromise the integrity of elections. 

“The Shire welcomes the Court’s decision to award partial costs to the Shire which will offset part of the financial contribution that all ratepayers in the Shire had made to protect local democracy.

“Following the Court’s earlier decision to support the Shire’s application to challenge the election result a Fresh Election was held in the North Ward in October 2022. 

“This election which was conducted through in-person voting was held without incident.”

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