Former councillor avoids jail over vote tampering in local government election

Police previously alleged El-Halabi's wife and daughter were involved in the fraud, but prosecutors have since discontinued all charges against them.Former Labor councillor Milad El-Halabi and his wife arrive at the Melbourne Magistrates court. Mr El-Halabi was 'unduly elected' through voter fraud. 6th March 2023. Photo by Jason South.

El-Halabi or his daughter's DNA or fingerprint evidence was discovered on each of the 23 false votes, Judge Stewart Bayles said. El-Halabi was found to have "possessed and handled" the 23 fraudulent ballot papers, which elected him to the council's north-west ward, before approving their return to the VEC, he said.Former Labor councillor Milad El-Halabi and his wife arrive at the Melbourne Magistrates court. Mr El-Halabi was 'unduly elected' through voter fraud. 6th March 2023. Photo by Jason South.

Prosecutor Justin Lewis said El-Halabi's offending concerned "the cornerstone of our society" and called for him to be handed a lengthy community work order in combination with a prison term.

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