Bendigo candidate targeted with fake reviews and racist abuse
Bendigo council candidate Ajay Mishra faces intimidation: stolen signs, fake reviews, and racist attacks.
A Bendigo council byelection has turned nasty. Independent candidate Ajay Mishra said people are posting online reviews about his supporters to discourage customers from their businesses.
Stolen and vandalised corflutes have also appeared during the campaign. Mishra said targeting private properties and businesses is concerning.
But sign damage is a normal part of campaigning. His campaign has also attracted racist online comments, according to a Bendigo Advertiser review.
Some comments come from outside the area. Some connect to local social media groups.
Mishra said the abuse takes a personal toll. But he tries to stay focused on the positive side of running for office.
- Ajay Mishra
- Candidate
- Lockwood Ward
- Ward
- Bendigo
- City
- Bendigo Advertiser
- Coverage source
Why it mattersCampaign intimidation and racist harassment threaten fair local elections. They signal a breakdown in respectful democratic debate.
AustraliaLocal democracy in Bendigo faces interference through coordinated attacks on supporters and candidates. The pattern reflects broader concerns about online harassment in Australian politics.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
