West Australian voters likely to be forced back to the polls after Australian Electoral Commission admits ineptitude in Senate ballot Our political experts on Clive Palmer's election and the electoral bungle in WA. AEC Commissioner Ed Killesteyn Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Limited THE Australian Electoral Commission has admitted its incompetence will send almost 2.5 million voters back to the polls. Despite yesterday declaring six politcal "winners" amid farcical scenes in the Western Australia Senate race, the AEC hinted it would challenge its own result after losing 1400 votes. The challenge would likely trigger a fresh poll. Clive Palmer's war with the AEC AEC sorry for losing votes Australian Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn apologised for the lost ballot papers, conceding it was likely they had been lost forever, and hinted he would petition for a fresh election. I'm obligated to declare the result, irrespective of the fact that these ballots are missing. Legally, I just have no other choice," he said. "Nearly 1400 West Australian electors have had their Senate votes disenfranchised and I apologise unreservedly to all of those electors," Mr Killesteyn told ABC Radio before the result was handed down. We've made extensive searches for these missing ballot papers. Despite searching and researching of warehouses, counting centres, polling places, motor vehicles, the couriers that were involved, they've not been located, so I'm not holding out a lot of hope that we'll find them. The sloppy result, which has reignited debate for an overhaul to Senate elections, comes as Independent Senator Nick Xenophon implied Mr Palmer, who has threatened legal action over alleged corruption within the AEC, had spooked some seasoned Coalition members from agreeing to election reform. I can understand that some Coalition members may fear that electoral reform would get the ire of Clive Palmer but if the system is changed that in itself would take away his ability to threaten the Coalition ... and make (results) more representative of the people. Senator Xenophon told The Courier-Mail that he would pursue electoral reform and introduce a bill when Parliament resumed this year. Mr Palmer could not be contacted yesterday. The uncertainty is a headache for Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who will need to negotiate with a number of senators to push through his controversial legislative agenda. Former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty has been appointed to investigate the loss of the ballot papers. His findings are likely to be done within 40 days, the time allowed for a petition to the High Court sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns. Both major parties have privately conceded even more candidates could enter the race, which has a prize of an annual salary of $195,000, free travel and other perks. They also said some candidates may also withdraw. Three Liberal Party MPs - David Johnston, Michaelia Cash and Linda Reynolds - ALP candidate Joe Bullock, Australian Sports Party rookie Wayne Dropulich and Greens incumbent Scott Ludlam were declared winners yesterday. Labor incumbent Louise Pratt, who was number two on the ALP's ticket, lost and Palmer United Party's Dio Wang, who won a spot at the first count, lost.