Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides has lost the Melbourne Lord Mayor election race to Nick Reece, with 61.5 per cent of voters reportedly favouring the latter.
Koutoufides made his intentions of his candidacy known in August and was one of 11 lord mayoral applicants.
The 51-year-old had pledged to push workers back into the office if elected Lord Mayor at council elections held nearly a fortnight ago.
Koutoutfides was willing to work with the state government to introduce laws that would see workers attend their office at least four days a week to "enliven the city".
The election result was announced on Thursday, with 87,852 formal ballots counted in the poll, according to the Victorian Electoral Commission.
BREAKING: Lord Mayor Nick Reece is celebrating his election to the city's top job, winning in his own right after replacing Sally Capp in July. The Victorian Electoral Commission has finalised the vote count. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb @Rebecca7Maddern #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/1b7V8GZnou
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 7, 2024
CR Reece was the incumbent lord mayoral candidate, having taken on the position following former Lord Mayor Sally Capp's exit in June.
He played a major role in banning the hire of e-scooters in the CBD, citing the lack of safety, which was raised by residents and traders.
CR Reece also pledged to sell the city's share in the Regent Theatre, extend the free tram zone, convert vacant office spaces into apartments and reinstate inbound traffic lanes on Exhibition Street.
He also vowed to introduce a renewable energy purchasing scheme and cut the entry cost for public pools to $2.
