Cymek said:

Witty Rejoinder said:

Michael V said:

They messed up.

The processes involved are pretty foolproof. If on election night during counting it is noticed that one ballot paper is missing AEC staff will search the bins. Every cock and balls must be accounted for.

Yes so did someone get lazy and not bother to follow procedure

Someone must have misplaced, willingly or accidentally, votes that were initially counted but then went missing in recounts afaict. With 500+ votes per polling booth the totals would not be questioned or recounted until the official count done centrally or an official recount. Someone is responsible at all times and at no point will anyone other than AEC staff (usually employees, not those employed just for the night) have access to the ballots.