Sydney - Friday - December 6: (RWE) - Coles Myer Ltd today said chairman Mr Rick Allert had exercised his discretionary power to admit proxy votes submitted by Mr Solomon Lew after the closure of the poll. This means Mr Mark Leibler has been re-elected as a director. Mr Allert said he had received legal advice that it was within his power to include or exclude the late proxy votes in Mr Leibler's favour and this would not affect the efficacy of the annual meeting. "Any legal challenge to the outcome of the poll based on the admission of the late proxies would only relate to Mr Leibler's standing as a director. "I am advised that I am entitled to admit the votes notwithstanding that it is questionable that Mr Lew's failure to lodge the votes before the poll closed was inadvertent. "I have decided to admit the votes to ensure that proper effect is given to the will of those shareholders who gave to Mr Lew their proxies to vote in favour of Mr Leibler's election. "Without these proxies being counted, Mr Leibler would not be re-elected. "In reaching my decision, I have been keen to achieve certainty for the company, as well as to reflect the voting intentions of our shareholders. "With this issue resolved, the poll can now be declared," Mr Allert said. Coles Myer fell 7c to $6.37. ENDS
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