THE count for the Maranoa Regional Council elections is turning into a fiasco - and one that the media are not able to cover. 

As of Sunday morning there have been no further votes counted in the Mayoral election leaving the Sunday night situation unchanged with just 25 votes separating three contenders - Robert Loughnan, Tyson Golder and Baden Waldron with 2445 votes counted.

Counting has resumed in the councillor elections but the computers are down and there is no updated tally in the tally room. It is believed the top eight so far are Scott Wason, Cameron O'Neil, Peter Flynn, Joy Denton, Jan Chambers, David Schefe, Ree Price and Wendy Newman but this cannot be confirmed.

Many scrutineers have complained how long the count is taking and said returning officer Alison Moore does not have enough staff to do the count.

This is on top of complaints that many people did not get their ballots in time or got given the wrong papers.

Mrs Moore also refused to let the Western Star stay in the tally room.

Last night Mrs Moore said the Western Star could stay if invited as a scrutineer but could not take any photographs or could not act as a journalist or leave the building.

The Western Star refused to enter under these conditions.

The ECQ are not returning emails to the Western Star and their 1300 number is unattended over the weekend.