PROGRESSIVE results in the Rural City of Wangaratta Council election have revealed the candidates leading the vote in each of their wards.

Following the completion of the Group A first preference votes counted on Thursday, current leaders include Dave Fuller (Bullawah), Tania Maxwell (Appin), Ashley Fitzpatrick (Wareena), Harvey Benton (Ovens), and Julian Fidge (Yarrunga), with Irene Grant (Warby) and Harry Bussell (King River) elected uncontested.

In the Bullawah Ward Dave Fuller has the largest majority with 74.69 per cent (1396 votes) of the vote over Brian Fox 25.31pc (437 votes).

This is with 1967 votes polled (98 informal) from an estimated 3507 electors in this ward (elector numbers March 2023).

In the Appin Ward, Tania Maxwell holds an almost 10pc lead with 54.91pc (1225 votes) over Mark Currie 45.09pc (1006 votes).

Group A votes polled are 2294 (63 informal) from an estimated 3562 electors.

In Wareena Ward Ashlee Fitzpatrick has 46.11pc (882 votes), with Peter Siperki holding 31.99pc (612 votes), and Mel Paul 21.9pc (419 votes).

Some 1963 votes have been counted (50 informal) from an estimated 3570 electors.

In the Ovens Ward, Harvey Benton holds a lead with 47.91pc (928 votes), followed Jennifer Garrett 28.91pc (560 votes), and Rebecca Shenfield 23.18pc (449 votes).

Some 1982 votes have been counted (45 informal) from an estimated 3259 electors.

Yarrunga Ward, with four candidates, is the closest count with Group B votes and preferences yet to be processed.

Julian Fidge is in the lead with 32.67pc (589 votes) of first preference votes counted, followed by Allison Winters 26.51pc (478 votes), Anne Dunstan 23.18pc (418 votes), and Joanne Pane 17.64pc (318 votes).

This is of 1840 votes polled (37 informal) from an estimated 3398 electors.

Group B ballot papers, consisting of votes received in the mail by the VEC after November 25 but date stamped correctly, are currently being counted.

Following completion of both A and B Group counts, if a candidate has received an absolute majority, which is more than half (50pc +1) of all first preference votes, a preference distribution is not required, and the candidate is successful.

A preference distribution consists of excluding the candidate with the fewest votes and then distributing their second preference votes to the appropriate candidate.

This process continues until a candidate has received an absolute majority.

The next update of votes counted will happen next Wednesday.