Voters should be wary of the motives of those who ask them to ‘sign’ completed voting papers.
Some body corporates communities have reported that owners were contacted about voting before an Annual General Meeting and invited to ‘sign’ completed voting papers. They were told that once signed, they should submit those voting papers as stated on the voting paper.
Some owners have been misled into believe it is permissible for another party to fully or partly complete a voting paper on their behalf. It is NOT.
Lobbying in relation to body corporate matters is not specifically regulated by law but this conduct is contrary to the spirit and intent of it.
You also have to be careful to submit your vote directly to the body corporate secretary and for it not to be forwarded to the secretary by a third party. Those votes are not counted.
In the case of Bayview Residences, the Body Corporate Adjudicator concluded that:
“If an owner simply signs a voting paper when someone else has ticked ‘yes’ or ‘no’ against each motion then the owner is not completing their voting paper themselves . . .” and declared those votes invalid.
Make your vote count. Please take a few minutes to read the voting papers and vote in favour of the results you want – not what someone else wants.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A MOTION?
In the case of Ipomoea Court the Body Corporate Adjudicator said: “Each lot owner has 21 days’ notice of the motions on the agenda. If he or she wishes to find out more about a motion, he or she may contact the proponent of the motion, or the committee.”
Take time to read the AGM motions and if the explanatory notes are not clear, submit your questions to the Body Corporate Manager (cmg@completemanagementgroup.com.au) before you vote.