Government to amend Local Govt Act to improve elections, tweak new disclosure rules

PEOPLE not enrolled to vote would still be able to cast their ballot on polling day in the NT’s upcoming council elections under proposed changes to local government laws.

Local Government Minister Chansey Paech has introduced amendments to the local government act. Picture: Che Chorley

PEOPLE not enrolled to vote would still be able to cast their ballot on polling day in the NT’s upcoming council elections under proposed changes to local government laws.

Local Government Minister Chansey Paech this week introduced changes to the laws that, when passed, will allow people to register to vote at booths on the day of the council election.

This is already allowed at a federal and NT election level.

Mr Paech said provisional voting would allow greater participation rates and remove obstacles in council elections.

The amendments to the local government act will also simplify ­financial disclosure requirements for council election candidates included in last year’s bill, which was deferred and is not yet in force.

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Financial disclosure requirements for council election candidates will not be in play at this year’s election.

Under the proposed changes, a return is only required to be submitted when a candidate has received a donation or loan totalling $200 or more within the disclosure period — instead of a blanket requirement even if nothing was received.