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Australian Electoral Commission
| Event | Min. – max. period | Election 2007 |
|---|---|---|
Election announced Prime Minister announces the intention to hold an election. |
n/a | Sunday 14 October |
|
Issue of writ A writ commands an electoral officer to hold an election and contains dates for the close of rolls, close of nominations, polling day and the return of the writ. (Constitution s.12, 32) (the Act s.151) |
0–10 days | 6pm Wednesday 17 October |
|
Close of rolls Rolls close at 8pm, 3 working days after issue of writs, but new names are not added after 8pm on day of issue of writ. (CEA ss.102 [4], 155) |
0–3 days | 8pm Tuesday 23 October |
|
Close of nominations It is not possible to nominate as a candidate for election until the writs have been issued. Candidates must nominate by 12 noon on the date specified on the writs as close of nominations. (the Act s.156) |
10–37 days | 12pm Thursday 1 November |
|
Declaration of nominations The public announcement of nominations received followed by a draw for positions on the ballot paper, 24 hours after the close of nominations. (the Act s.176) |
11–38 days | 12pm Friday 2 November |
|
Polling day The day on which the majority of electors cast their vote at a polling place. It must be a Saturday and at least 33 days after the issue of the writs. (the Act s.157) |
33–68 days | Saturday 24 November |
|
Return of writ For the House of Representatives, the Electoral Commissioner attaches a certificate to the writ with the name of each candidate elected for each division and returns the Writ to the Governor-General. (the Act s. 284) For the Senate, the Australian Electoral Officer for each State and Territory attaches a certificate to the Writ with the names of the elected Senators for that State or Territory and returns the Writ to the State Governor (for States) and the Governor-General for (Territories) (the Act s.283) Writs must be returned within 100 days of their issue. |
110 days | The House of Representative writs for NSW, Vic, Qld, WA, SA, Tas, ACT and NT were returned to the Governor-General on 21 December 2007. The Senate writs for the ACT and NT were returned to the Governor-General on 21 December 2007. The Senate writs were returned to the respective State Governors on:
|
Meeting of Parliament The new Parliament must meet within 30 days of the day appointed for the return of the writs. (Constitution s.5) |
140 days (maximum |
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.