Quarantine ballot boxes from Howard Springs and Alice Springs facilities to be held for three days before counting: NTEC

Territorian voters stuck in mandatory quarantine facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs on election day will be able to vote, though their ballots won’t be counted for three days due to coronavirus safety measures.

TERRITORIAN voters stuck in mandatory quarantine facilities in Darwin and Alice Springs on election day will be able to vote, though their ballots won’t be counted for three days due to coronavirus safety measures.

The NT Electoral Commission confirmed mobile voting teams manned by two to three people would head to the Howard Springs quarantine facility in Darwin and the facilities in Alice Springs on Saturday, August 22.

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There will be strict protocols in place, including compulsory training for NTEC staff on COVID-19 protocols two days prior.

All staff will wear masks and gloves, and no scrutineers or how-to-vote material will be allowed on site.

Due to the lifespan of the virus, the NTEC has been directed to store the ballot boxes for three days before opening and counting the votes.

For those stuck in the Howard Springs facility, NTEC mobile teams will be on site from 9am to noon, then 1pm to 4pm.

For those in the Alice Springs quarantine facility at the Old Mercure Hotel, the times are yet to be confirmed.

As at 8am on August 15, there were 566 people in forced mandatory quarantine across the Northern Territory.