Logan Howlett has been returned as City of Cockburn mayor after a prolonged election count punctuated by premature results, missing ballot papers and a recount.

The WA Electoral Commission declared Mr Howlett the winner on Monday night, defeating deputy mayor Chontelle Stone by 360 votes, 10,988 to 10,628.

A provisional result published earlier in the day had Mr Howlett winning by 370 votes.

He had also been declared the winner on Saturday before this notice was pulled down.

The WAEC said in a statement a “procedural matter” led to the premature publication of results.

“During the reconciliation process, it was discovered that 297 ballot papers had not been included in the initial count,” the statement said.

“These ballot papers were subsequently counted, and completed figures were c

See Full Page