2012 Council Elections
Local councils play a strong and vital role in the provision of services to its communities. Indeed, its performance in this role can have a significant impact on the ‘quality of life’ of residents. Councils also provide an important representative role on behalf of its residents.
Councils in the Northern Territory form important political and social communities with an indispensable knowledge of the needs of the local area and for this very reason, Local Government is often referred to as the ‘grass roots’ level of government.
The community elects their Council Members every four years. The next Council elections will be held in March 2012.
KEY DATES – 2012 COUNCIL ELECTIONS
NOTE: Gazettal of date by Minister Friday 18 March 2011 [LGAs85(1)(2)]
|
Election Program |
Time |
Day |
Date
|
| Notice Inviting Nominations
Local Government Electoral Regulation (LGER) r 6 (At least 43 days before polling day) |
By Friday | 10 February | |
| CLOSE OF ELECTORAL ROLL LGER r11 (32nd day before polling day) | 5pm | Tuesday | 21 February |
| CLOSE OF NOMIATIONS LGER rs 3, 8 (23rd day before polling day) | 12 noon | Thursday | 1 March |
| Should more than the relevant number of nominations be received, a poll will be required and the following election timetable will apply | |||
| Declaration of Nominations Draw for position on ballot papers LGER r10 | 12 noon | Friday | 2 March |
| Postal Vote Mail-out Commences LGER r27(2) | AS SOON AS POSSIBLE | Usually Monday | 5 March |
| Early Voting Commences LGER r3 | 8am | Wednesday | 7 March |
| Mobile Polling Commences LGER r3 | 9am | Monday | 12 March |
| Overseas Postal Voting Dispatches Cease LGER r27(3)(b) | 6pm | Tuesday | 20 March |
| All Postal Voting Dispatches Ceases LGER r27(3)(b) | 6pm | Thursday | 22 March |
| Early Voting Ceases LGER r3 | 6pm | Friday | 23 March |
| POLLING DAY LGA ss84(2), 85Static Polling Commences LGER rs 3, 37
Static & Mobile Polling Cease LGER rs 3, 37 ASAP, Primary Counts of Ordinary Votes in Static Polling Places Commence LGER r52 Preliminary Scrutiny, Primary Counts of Postal & Early Votes Commence LGER r46 |
8am6pm | Saturday | 24 March |
| Declaration Vote Verification Checks Commence Recheck of all counts LGER r46 | 9am | Monday | 26 March |
| Primary counts of Accepted Declaration Votes, further Postal Counts | 9am | Thursday | 29 March |
| Deadline for receipt of postal votes
Final Counts of Postal Votes CommenceDistribution of Preferences LGER r51 |
6pm 6pm | Friday | 30 March |
| Declaration of Results of Poll LGER r56 | 10am | Monday/Tuesday | 2 April |
Promotional posters and fact sheets can be downloaded by visiting the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services (DHLGRS) website.