The Electoral Commission of Queensland could issue more than $900,000 in fines after almost 25 per cent of residents failed to vote in a Brisbane City Council byelection.

The Morningside byelection held on January 20 had 30,684 residents registered to vote for a new local councillor following the shock resignation of Labor councillor Shayne Sutton in October.

Kara Cook won the byelection for Labor.

About 16,800 people voted at a polling booth, 2586 people voted at a pre-poll centre and 3929 postal votes were returned.

While Labor’s Kara Cook retained the ward for her party, about 7369 people did not cast their vote.