The father of a north Queensland soldier says his son was unable to cast a vote in his home seat of Herbert while on a military exercise in South Australia.
The father, identified only as Glen on the Townsville Bulletin website comments blog, said his son had left Townsville before pre-poll voting opened in the federal election.
When the soldier arrived at Exercise Hamel in SA no polling station was available, despite having been told there would be.
"A new poll is required ... this is a failing of process," Glen wrote.
Sky News reported on Thursday more than 600 soldiers who were participating in Exercise Hamel had been unable to vote, including 543 from the 1st brigade based in Darwin and Adelaide.
But 85 others, including some from Townsville, may have also missed out.
A source close to the military told AAP two fewer booths than expected were provided for the exercise.
A full recount is under way in Herbert, which is the last seat to be determined in the election.
The initial count ended with Labor's Cathy O'Toole in the lead by eight votes.
On the latest figures, it is understood Ms O'Toole is ahead by 13 votes.
Labor and Liberal sources have told AAP they expect it to be challenged in the Court of Dispute Returns once the Australian Electoral Commission has completed the recount.
Special Minister of State Scott Ryan has said he will ask the electoral commission for a briefing on why defence personnel might have been denied a vote at the election.
If the coalition can retain Herbert, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will have 77 seats in the 150-seat parliament allowing the government to appoint a speaker while retaining an absolute majority.
The AEC said in a statement it worked with the Australian Defence Force to provide voting services at recent military exercises.
A Defence spokesman told AAP on Friday the AEC provided seven polling stations at Exercise Hamel and worked closely with the Army.
On election day, 1274 ADF members voted at polling stations in the exercise area.
The Army transported another 1371 members out of the exercise area to Port Augusta, Whyalla, Port Pirie or Kadina to civilian polling stations to cast their vote.
But 628 Army members did not cast their votes.
"Defence is unable to provide any additional information in relation to these members at this time," the spokesman said.
Share
