Next Saturday, it is likely that the balance of power in Victoria’s upper house will fall into the hands of half a dozen parties and candidates that most Victorians have never heard of.

This is because Victoria still conducts its upper house elections using the discredited group voting ticket system.

The balance of power in Victoria's upper house is likely to fall into the hands of previously unknown candidates. Credit:Joe Armao

Group voting tickets have been abolished in NSW and South Australia, and the Turnbull government abolished them for the Senate ahead of the 2016 federal election.

At Senate elections it is no longer possible for parties with a fraction of the vote to win election courtesy of exotic preference deals.