Qld: Withdrawn candidate still legally in election race

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2006
Qld: Withdrawn candidate still legally in election race

Queensland Independent MP ELISA ROBERTS is still legally in the state election race
.. despite announcing she doesn't want to run because of continued personal attacks.

Ms ROBERTS has declared she won't contest the seat of Gympie in the September 9 poll
.. after being worn down by six years of denigration and lies by her political enemies
in the area.

But under the Queensland Electoral Act .. no candidate can pull out once nominations close.

That happened on August 22 .. and Ms ROBERTS will appear on ballot papers.

Pre-polling began on Monday and votes may've already been cast for her.

The Act states if Ms ROBERTS is elected she'll be in her right to continue as the Member
for Gympie or resign and a by-election will be called.

The seat is tipped to go to the Nationals' DAVID GIBSON .. the former general manager
of the local newspaper.

AAP RTV jmm/sc/es/cp

KEYWORD: POLL QLD GYMPIE (BRISBANE)

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