Police are investigating after intruders broke into the Ballarat City Council election office.
Between Wednesday night and early yesterday morning, thieves forced their way into a locked zone used to store valuables, taking a box containing 1,350 unmarked ballot papers and a small amount of petty cash.
In a statement, Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel says whilst electoral theft is a serious offence, the unmarked papers pose no risk to the election’s integrity.
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This is because only papers returned to the VEC inside completed ballot paper envelopes are able to be included in the vote count.
Anyone with information over the break-in is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
