A former Moreland councillor has appeared in court charged with rigging ballots at a council election.
Milad El-Halabi was elected from the council's North-West Ward in Melbourne's inner north in October 2020.
But the result was soon under a cloud when the Victorian Electoral Commission launched an investigation.
Earlier this month, Mr El-Halabi, 58, and two others, Dianna El-Halabi, 51, and Tania El-Halabi, 25 were charged on summons with conspiring to cheat and defraud electors.
It's alleged they stole multiple ballot papers and lodged them with the commission, therefore prejudicing the election result.
Within days of being charged, Mr El-Halabi resigned his position as councillor.
The three accused appeared via video-link at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, represented by prominent barrister Robert Richter, QC.
They were not required to enter a plea and the matter is due to return to court in May.
Mr El-Halabi was elected to council as a member of the Labor Party.
The party has suspended his membership while the charges are heard.
On March 16, the Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a countback of votes from the 2020 election to fill the vacancy created by Mr El-Halabi's resignation.
