Almost 80 per cent of Territorians may vote before election day, NTEC says, as early voting continues to rise in popularity

CLOSE to 80 per cent of Territorians are expected to cast their vote before polling day on August 22.

Close to 80 per cent of Territorians are expected to cast their vote before polling day on August 22, according to the NT Electoral Commission. Picture: Michael Franchi

CLOSE to 80 per cent of Territorians are expected to cast their vote before polling day on August 22.

Northern Territory Electoral Commissioner Iain Loganathan said the recent Johnston by-election and federal election continued the increasing trend for voters to cast their vote at early polling centres.

“In terms of urban areas we expect that close to two thirds of people are going to vote early,” he said.

“As part of our COVID management strategy there are more early voting centres available before the election.

“If you look at possibly two thirds of urban people voting early and then add the remotes to that, it is 80 per cent of people who have already voted.”

MORE NT POLITICS NEWS

Territory Alliance promises drug rehab facility in greater Darwin to help ice addicts, if elected

CLP to toughen Giles-era public housing ‘red card’ penalty system if they take government at election

Advocates ‘disappointed’ at NT major parties’ stance on raising the criminal age of responsibility

Mr Loganathan said as part of the NTEC’s COVID management strategy there were more early voting centres available before the election.

“We want to avoid long queues on polling day,” he said.

“Life and voting habits have changed. People have things on at the weekend and they can vote early so they will.

“I think it is easier for people to vote during the week.

“It has an implication in terms of when parties release their policies and things like that. It is no longer the big crescendo leading up to polling day.”

Mr Loganathan said there were just over 141,000 people on the roll.

“If you look at the voter participation last time, it was 74 per cent, which we would hope comes up, particularly out in the bush,” he said.

LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

“People are totally embracing the early polling and want to get it done. More and more people are making their minds up early.

“With early voting centres at shopping centres it is a matter of convenience. While you are there you may as well vote.”

Declaration of nominations is on August 6 and early voting centres open on Monday, August 10.

Where to vote: https://ntec.nt.gov.au/elections/2020-territory-election/voting/early-voting.