To win an election that is being counted using the preferential system, the candidate must have more than half of the total votes. This is known as an absolute majority.
At the close of voting, election officials count all of the number "1" votes (first preferences) for each candidate. If a candidate gets more than half the total first preference votes, that candidate is elected.
If none of the candidates has an absolute majority, the candidate with the smallest number of first preference votes is excluded. That candidate's ballot papers are then transferred to the remaining candidates according to the second preferences marked on them.
If there is still no candidate with an absolute majority, then the candidate who now has the fewest votes is excluded. That candidate's votes are transferred to the remaining candidates according to the preferences marked on them. This process continues until one candidate has an absolute majority.
The candidate who gets an absolute majority is then declared elected.
A slideshow illustrating the full preferential counting process is also available.
Information on the preferential counting system for candidates is available in the relevant Candidate Handbook.
