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ELECTORAL ACT 2004

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY MATTERS

  • 1 Short title  
  • 2 Commencement  

PART 2--INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION

  • 3 Definitions  
  • 3A Meaning of gift  
  • 4 Election and general election  
  • 5 Public notice  
  • 6 Available for public inspection  
  • 7 Electoral matter  
  • 8 Closed roll  
  • 8A Application of Criminal Code  

PART 3--CONSTITUTION OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

  • 9 Number of MLAs  

PART 4--ELECTORAL ROLLS AND ENROLMENT

Division 1--Electoral rolls

  • 10 Commission to keep rolls  
  • 11 Contents of roll  
  • 12 Roll extracts to be available for public inspection  
  • 13 Supply of roll extract to MLA and registered party  
  • 14 Use of roll extracts  
  • 15 Providing roll information to certain entities for medical research and health screening programs  
  • 16 Providing roll information to Sheriff  
  • 16A Roll information not for sale  
  • 17 Maintenance of rolls  
  • 18 Power to require information  
  • 19 Disclosure of roll information  
  • 20 Arrangement with Commonwealth for keeping rolls  

Division 2--Enrolment

  • 21 Entitlement  
  • 22 Claim for, or transfer of, enrolment  

PART 5--TIMING AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTIONS

Division 1--Timing of elections

  • 23 Determining date for holding general election other than extraordinary general election  
  • 24 Extraordinary general election – motion of no confidence  
  • 25 Extraordinary general election – non-passing of appropriation Bill  
  • 26 Criteria for deciding whether to issue writs  
  • 26A Determining alternative date if Commonwealth election  

Division 2--Writs for elections

  • 27 Form of writ  
  • 28 Limitation of dates  
  • 29 Endorsement of writ  

Division 3--Nominations

  • 30 Eligibility  
  • 31 Nomination of candidate  
  • 32 Nomination form  
  • 33 Nomination in one division only  
  • 34 Time for lodging nomination  
  • 35 Withdrawal of consent to nomination etc.  
  • 36 Rejection of nomination  
  • 37 Declaration of candidates  
  • 38 Need for vote  
  • 39 Nomination deposit to be returned or forfeited  

Division 4--Ballot papers

  • 40 Requirements for ballot papers  
  • 41 Determination of order of candidates names  

Division 5--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 42 Early voting centres, voting centres and scrutiny centres  
  • 43 Limit on appointment of licensed premises as voting centre  
  • 44 Certified lists of voters  
  • 45 Administrative arrangements  
  • 46 Scrutineers – appointment  
  • 47 Scrutineers – presence at voting centre and scrutiny centre  

PART 6--VOTING

Division 1--Entitlement to vote and other preliminary matters

  • 48 Entitlement to vote  
  • 49 Procedure for voting  
  • 50 Method of voting  
  • 51 Voter's question  
  • 51A How-to-vote cards  

Division 2--Ordinary voting at voting centre on election day

  • 52 Issue of ballot paper  
  • 53 Voting in private  

Division 3--Absent and declaration voting on election day at voting centres

Subdivision 1--Voting by certain persons absent from division
  • 54 Issue of ballot paper  
  • 55 Casting vote  
  • Subdivision 2--Declaration voting
  • 56 Issue of declaration ballot paper  
  • 57 Casting declaration vote  

Division 4--Postal voting

Subdivision 1--Registered postal voters
  • 58 Register of postal voters  
  • 59 Registered postal voters taken to have applied for postal voting papers  
  • Subdivision 2--Applications for, and issue of, postal voting papers
  • 60 Who may apply for postal voting papers  
  • 61 Application for postal voting papers  
  • 62 Issue of postal voting papers  
  • 63 Authorised officer to record applications  
  • 64 Applications to be available for public inspection  
  • Subdivision 3--Casting postal vote
  • 65 Procedure for postal voting  
  • 66 When postal vote may be cast  
  • 67 Casting postal vote  

Division 5--Early voting

Subdivision 1--Preliminary
  • 68 Application of Division  
  • 69 Arrangements for voting  
  • 70 Public notice of arrangements  
  • Subdivision 2--Voting by electors
  • 71 Issue of ballot paper  
  • 72 Casting vote  
  • Subdivision 3--Declaration voting
  • 73 Issue of declaration ballot paper  
  • 74 Casting declaration vote  
  • Subdivision 4--Dealing with ballot boxes
  • 75 Ballot boxes at early voting centres in Territory  
  • 76 Ballot boxes at early voting centres outside Territory  

Division 6--Mobile polling

  • 77 Application of Division  
  • 78 Mobile voting centres  
  • 82 Obligations of authorised officer  
  • 83 Application of Act for voting at mobile voting centre  
  • 84 Failure to visit mobile voting centre  
  • 85 Dealing with ballot boxes  

Division 6A--Approved electronic and other automated systems for voting

  • 85A Commissioner's power to approve electronic or other automated system  

Division 7--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 86 Arrangements at voting centres  
  • 87 Assistance to certain voters  
  • 88 Assistance to voters unable to enter voting centre  
  • 89 Spoilt or discarded ballot paper  
  • 90 Dealing with ballot boxes and electoral papers  
  • 91 Adjournment of voting  
  • 92 Employee wishing to vote  

PART 7--THE SCRUTINY

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 93 How scrutiny carried out  

Division 2--Formality of ballot papers and related matters

  • 94 Informal ballot paper  
  • 95 Certain ballot papers not counted  
  • 96 Certain postal ballot papers not counted  
  • 97 Dealing with certain votes for absent voters  

Division 3--Ordinary votes

  • 98 Initial dealing with ballot papers  
  • 99 Check count of ordinary votes  

Division 4--Certain votes cast on election day and declaration votes cast by unenrolled voters at early voting centres

Subdivision 1--Preliminary
  • 100 Application of Division  
  • 101 Initial dealing with certain voting papers  
  • Subdivision 2--Votes cast by certain persons absent from division
  • 102 Application of Subdivision  
  • 103 Examination of ballot papers  
  • Subdivision 3--Declaration votes cast by unenrolled voters
  • 104 Application of Subdivision  
  • 105 Examination of declaration ballot papers  
  • Subdivision 4--Declaration votes cast by voters marked on roll as already voted
  • 106 Application of Subdivision  
  • 107 Examination of declaration ballot papers  
  • Subdivision 5--Counting declaration and absent votes
  • 108 Initial count of votes  
  • 109 Check count of votes  

Division 5--Postal votes

Subdivision 1--Dealing with postal voting papers before the end of election day
  • 110 Receipt of postal voting papers  
  • 111 Checking postal voting papers  
  • Subdivision 2--Scrutiny of postal voting papers
  • 112 Initial dealing with postal voting papers after close of voting  
  • 113 Initial count of postal votes  
  • 114 Check count of postal votes  

Division 6--Votes cast at early voting centres

Subdivision 1--Preliminary
  • 115 Application of Division  
  • 116 Initial dealing with ballot boxes  
  • Subdivision 2--Votes cast for enrolled divisions at early voting centres
  • 117 Application of Subdivision  
  • 118 Initial count of votes  
  • Subdivision 3--Votes cast for divisions in other regions at early voting centres
  • 119 Application of Subdivision  
  • 120 Examination of ballot papers  
  • 121 Initial count of votes  
  • Subdivision 4--Check count of certain votes cast at early voting centres
  • 122 Check count of votes  

Division 7--Determining and declaring result of election

  • 123 Interim distribution of preference votes  
  • 124 Part counting of votes  
  • 125 Objections by candidate's scrutineer  
  • 126 Determination of first preference votes  
  • 127 Declaration of election  
  • 128 Further scrutiny to be conducted  
  • 129 Early declaration of elected candidate  
  • 130 Recount  
  • 131 Declaration of result of election  
  • 132 Preference distribution for information purposes  

Division 8--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 133 Return of writ  
  • 134 Extension of time  
  • 135 Failure of election  
  • 136 Issue of writ for failed election  

PART 8--REDISTRIBUTIONS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 137 How notices are to be published  
  • 138 When redistribution to be conducted  

Division 2--Object of redistribution and related matters

  • 139 Object of redistribution  
  • 139A Principles of redistribution  
  • 139B Naming of division during redistribution  
  • 140 Matters to be considered in redistribution  

Division 3--Redistribution process

  • 140A Definitions  
  • 140B Calculation of quota  
  • 141 Inviting suggestions  
  • 142 Inviting comments on suggestions  
  • 143 Preparing first proposed redistribution  
  • 144 Maps showing first proposed redistribution  
  • 145 Inviting objections against first proposed redistribution  
  • 145A Preparing second proposed redistribution  
  • 145B Inviting objections to second proposed redistribution  
  • 146 Considering objections  
  • 147 Deciding redistribution  
  • 148 Report about redistribution  
  • 150 When redistribution takes effect  
  • 150A Extraordinary general election during redistribution process  

Division 4--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 151 Decisions are final  

PART 9--REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES

Division 1--Application process for registration and related matters

  • 152 Application  
  • 153 Further information about application  
  • 154 Notification and publication of application  
  • 155 Objections to application and responses  
  • 156 Decision on application  
  • 157 Grant of application  
  • 158 Refusal of application  
  • 159 Amendment of application  

Division 2--Cancellation of registration

  • 160 Cancellation on application  
  • 161 When Commission must cancel registration  
  • 162 Notice of proposal to cancel registration  
  • 163 Notice of decision not to cancel registration  
  • 164 Cancellation of registration  
  • 165 Notice of cancellation  
  • 166 Use of name after cancellation  

Division 3--Register of political parties

  • 167 Commission to keep register  
  • 168 Register to be available for public inspection  
  • 169 Changes to particulars in register  

Division 4--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 170 Who can be registered officer  
  • 171 Constitution to be available for public inspection  
  • 171A Annual return for registered political party  
  • 172 Notification of change to constitution  
  • 173 Review of registration of political parties  
  • 174 Information about political parties  
  • 175 No action under Part during election period  

PART 9A--REGISTRATION OF ASSOCIATED ENTITIES AND THIRD PARTY CAMPAIGNERS

Division 1--Application process for registration and related matters

  • 175A Application  
  • 175B Deadline for lodging application  
  • 175C Further information about application  
  • 175D Decision on application  
  • 175E Grant of application  
  • 175F Refusal of application  
  • 175G Amendment of application  

Division 2--Cancellation of registration

  • 175H Cancellation on application  
  • 175J Cancellation for non-compliance  
  • 175K Cancellation of registration  

Division 3--Registers

  • 175L Commission to keep register of associated entities  
  • 175M Commission to keep register of third party campaigners  
  • 175N Register to be available for public inspection  
  • 175P Changes to particulars in registers  
  • 175Q Process for variation  
  • 175R Offences  

PART 10--DONATIONS AND EXPENDITURE

Division 1--Preliminary matters

  • 175S Purposes  
  • 176 Definitions  
  • 176A Meaning of electoral expenditure  
  • 177 References to registered party  
  • 178 References to things done by registered party  
  • 179 Gifts – determination of amounts  
  • 180 Related bodies corporate  
  • 181 Advertisements containing electoral matter  
  • 183 Campaign committee to be treated as part of party  

Division 2--Reporting agents

  • 184 Appointment of reporting agent  
  • 185 Non-appointed agents  
  • 186 Register of reporting agents  
  • 187 Effect of registration etc.  
  • 188 Notice of death or resignation of candidate's reporting agent  

Division 3--Disclosure of donations

  • 189 Definition  
  • 190 Loans to registered party or candidate  
  • 191 Disclosure of gifts – general election other than extraordinary general election  
  • 192 Disclosure of gifts – other elections  
  • 192A Period covered by return extended if first return  
  • 192B Additional disclosure requirement for nominees who were not previously candidates  
  • 192C Additional disclosure requirement for associated entities and third party campaigner on registration  
  • 192D Content of return  
  • 192E Gift aggregation periods  
  • 193 Donations to candidates  
  • 194 Donations to registered parties  
  • 196 Advice about obligations to make returns – registered parties  
  • 196A Advice about obligations to make returns – candidates  
  • 197 Anonymous gifts  
  • 198 Nil returns  

Division 4--Electoral expenditure

Subdivision 1--Preliminary matters
  • 199 Meaning of participant  
  • Subdivision 2--Disclosure
  • 200 Returns of electoral expenditure  
  • 201 Nil returns  
  • 203 Two or more elections on same day  
  • Subdivision 3--Cap on electoral expenditure
  • 203A Capped expenditure period  
  • 203B Applicable caps on electoral expenditure  
  • 203C Offence to contravene expenditure cap  
  • 203D Offence to circumvent expenditure cap  

Division 5--Annual returns

  • 204 Definition  
  • 204A Certain returns not to include donations previously reported  
  • 205 Annual returns by registered parties  
  • 205A Annual return by registered parties – gifts  
  • 206 Periods of less than financial year  
  • 207 Annual returns by candidates – gifts  
  • 208 Annual returns by associated entities  
  • 209 Annual returns by associated entities – gifts  
  • 210 Amounts received  
  • 211 Outstanding amounts  
  • 212 Returns not to include lists of party membership  
  • 213 Regulations  

Division 5A--Territory campaign accounts

  • 213A Requirement to keep Territory campaign account  
  • 213B Gifts to be paid into Territory campaign account  
  • 213C Payments into Territory campaign account  
  • 213D Territory campaign account to be used for electoral expenditure  
  • 213E Offence  

Division 6--Compliance

  • 214 Definitions  
  • 215 Offences  
  • 216 Investigation notices generally  
  • 217 Investigation notices about associated entities  
  • 218 Investigation notice offences  
  • 219 Investigation – search warrants  
  • 220 Records  

Division 7--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 221 Inability to complete returns  
  • 222 Non-compliance with Part  
  • 223 Amendment of returns  
  • 224 Commission to publish returns  

PART 11--APPEALS

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 225 Appealable decisions and affected persons  
  • 226 Information notices  
  • 227 Appeal details  

Division 2--Appeals to Supreme Court

  • 228 Appeals against appealable decisions  
  • 229 How to start appeal  
  • 230 Operation and implementation of appealable decision  
  • 231 Decision on appeal  

PART 12--COURT OF DISPUTED RETURNS, DISPUTED ELECTIONS AND REFERENCES BY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Division 1--Court of Disputed Returns

  • 232 Establishment  
  • 233 Constitution  
  • 234 Jurisdiction  
  • 235 Record of proceedings  

Division 2--Disputed elections

  • 236 Validity of election may be disputed after election  
  • 237 Who may dispute election  
  • 238 Making application  
  • 239 Lodgment of security for costs  
  • 240 Notice of application  
  • 241 Parties to proceeding  
  • 242 Reply to application  
  • 243 Inquiries by Court  
  • 244 Certain evidence not admissible  
  • 245 Court may have regard to certain rejected ballot papers  
  • 246 Decision on application  
  • 247 Costs  
  • 248 Application of security for costs  
  • 249 Reporting of offences  
  • 250 Copy of decision and declaration to be given to Clerk of Legislative Assembly  
  • 251 Issue of writ if necessary  

Division 3--References by Legislative Assembly

  • 252 Question relating to qualification or vacancy  
  • 253 Parties to proceeding  
  • 254 Decision on reference  
  • 255 Copy of decision and declaration to be given to Speaker  

Division 4--Hearings of applications and references

  • 256 Application of Division  
  • 257 Hearing procedures  
  • 258 General powers of Court  
  • 259 Hearing open to public  
  • 260 Representation at hearing  
  • 261 Contempt  
  • 262 Decision final  

Division 5--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 263 Rules of Court  

PART 13--ELECTORAL OFFENCES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Division 1--Electoral offences

Subdivision 1--Protection of election rights and duties
  • 264 Interfering with election right or duty  
  • 265 Making false statements about entitlement to vote  
  • 266 Improperly influencing voters  
  • 267 Secrecy of vote  
  • Subdivision 2--Campaigning offences
  • 268 Definitions  
  • 268A Meaning of campaign material  
  • 269 Application of Division  
  • 270 Offences relating to campaign material  
  • 271 Offence relating to push-polling  
  • 272 Heading of advertisements  
  • 273 Electoral articles to be signed or state particulars of author  
  • 274 Exemptions for distribution of electoral articles  
  • 276 Badges, emblems etc. in voting centres  
  • 277 Exhibition of electoral matter in voting centres  
  • 278 Publication of statements regarding candidates  
  • Subdivision 3--Offences relating to compulsory voting and entitlement to vote
  • 279 Compulsory vote  
  • 280 Person may vote only once  
  • Subdivision 4--Voting fraud offences
  • 281 Offences relating to supplying and obtaining ballot papers  
  • 282 Offences relating to marking ballot papers  
  • 283 Other offences relating to ballot papers and ballot boxes  
  • 284 Forgery  
  • Subdivision 5--Other offences relating to electoral papers
  • 285 Offences relating to postal ballot papers  
  • 286 Opening envelopes containing declaration votes  
  • 287 False or misleading statements  
  • 288 Defacement etc. of electoral papers  
  • 289 Signatures  
  • 290 Duty of witnesses  
  • 291 Sending completed electoral papers  
  • Subdivision 6--Official functions
  • 292 Improper influence of officials  
  • 293 Identification of voters and votes  
  • 294 Responses to official questions  
  • 295 Control of behaviour at voting centres and scrutiny centres  

Division 2--Legal proceedings

  • 296 Evidentiary provisions  
  • 297 Time limit for starting prosecutions  
  • 298 Conduct of representatives  

PART 13A--INFRINGEMENT NOTICES FOR INFRINGEMENT OFFENCES

  • 300 When infringement notice may be served  
  • 301 Particulars to be included in infringement notice  
  • 302 Expiation of offence  
  • 303 Payment by cheque  
  • 304 Withdrawal of infringement notice  
  • 305 How service effected  
  • 306 Application of Part  

PART 14--ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Division 1--Establishment, functions and powers

  • 307 Establishment  
  • 308 Composition  
  • 309 Functions  
  • 310 Powers  
  • 311 Delegation  

Division 2--Miscellaneous provisions

  • 312 Status  
  • 313 Reports by commission  

PART 15--ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER AND STAFF OF COMMISSION

Division 1--Electoral Commissioner

Subdivision 1--Establishment of office, functions and powers
  • 314 Appointment of Electoral Commissioner  
  • 314A Eligibility for appointment  
  • 315 Chief Executive Officer  
  • 316 Functions  
  • 317 Powers  
  • 318 Approved forms  
  • 319 Delegation  
  • Subdivision 2--Appointment provisions
  • 320 Term of appointment  
  • 321 Conditions of appointment  
  • 322 Vacancy in office  
  • 323 Resignation  
  • 324 Suspension and termination of appointment  
  • 325 Leave of absence  
  • 326 Acting Commissioner  
  • 327 Oath before taking office  

Division 2--Staff of Commission

  • 328 Staff and consultants  
  • 329 Sharing staff and physical resources  
  • 330 Officers  

PART 16--REDISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE

Division 1--Redistribution Committee

  • 331 Establishment  
  • 332 Composition  
  • 333 Chairperson  
  • 336 Appointment of appointed member  
  • 337 Term of appointed member's appointment  
  • 338 Conditions of appointment  
  • 340 Dissolution  
  • 341 Functions  
  • 342 Powers  
  • 343 Procedures  

PART 17--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

  • 344 Register of electors precluded from voting because of religious beliefs  
  • 345 Storage and destruction of electoral papers  
  • 346 Protection from liability  
  • 347 Regulations  

PART 18--REPEAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

  • 348 Definitions  
  • 349 Repeal  
  • 350 Divisions  
  • 351 MLAs  
  • 352 Rolls  
  • 353 Arrangement with Commonwealth  
  • 354 Register of electors not voting because of religious beliefs  
  • 355 Pending election  
  • 356 Pending legal proceedings  
  • 357 Chief Electoral Officer  
  • 358 Election Tribunal Trust Account  
  • 359 References to repealed Act  

PART 19--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR ELECTORAL LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2016

  • 360 Transitional matter  

PART 20--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR ELECTORAL AMENDMENT ACT 2018

  • 361 Appointed member and Chairperson of Redistribution Committee  

PART 21--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2019

  • 362 Effect on Commissioner in office  

PART 22--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR ELECTORAL LEGISLATION FURTHER AMENDMENT ACT 2019

  • 363 Disclosure of gifts – reporting agent of a candidate, persons incurring political expenditure and donations to candidates  
  • 364 Disapplication of monetary units indexation scheme for 2020 election  

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