Early voting opens for NT election

EARLY voting for the upcoming NT election opened this morning and in a break from tradition, Chief Minister Michael Gunner was one of the first in line.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, holding his son Hudson, places his vote this morning. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

EARLY voting for the upcoming NT election opened this morning and in a break from tradition, Chief Minister Michael Gunner was one of the first in line.

There were at least 20 people in line when the early voting centre at Palmerston shopping centre opened at 8am today.

In a sign of the safety precautions the NT Electoral Commission is taking this election, people were asked to queue 1.5m apart, there was hand sanitiser available and each voter was given their own pencil to use and keep.

Michael Gunner with his son, Hudson. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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Mr Gunner was among the first few people to place his vote when the Palmerston centre opened, in a break from the tradition of politicians voting on election day in their own electorates.

He said his aim was to show people how easy it was to “vote safe” amid the coronavirus pandemic – though he stopped short of outright encouraging people to vote early.

“Make sure you have a plan about how you’re going to vote, then go in and do it, cast that vote. Make sure it’s done and done safely,” he said.

“For me, it’s about how you plan. It could be on the day itself, on August 22, but it might also be anytime over the next two weeks.

“Just make sure you think about it and plan in advance how and when you’re going to go vote … for example, you could make it part of your weekly shopping routine.”

Palmerston resident Jade Farey was another Territorian who took the opportunity to vote early today.

She said with three children and all their activities to juggle, she found early voting was the more convenient option.

“We have kids’ sport on Saturdays and it can get pretty busy, so this is a lot easier.,” she said.

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The NT Electoral Commission has predicted close to 80 per cent of Territorians could cast their vote before election day on August 22.

NTEC has also opened more early voting centres than usual ahead of the election as part of its COVID-19 management strategy.