4 August 2008

The NSW Electoral Commission today called for nominations from candidates intending to stand at the local council elections on Saturday 13 September.

Many candidates are expected to run for public office in 148 council areas across the State.

“Nominations will remain open from today, 4 August, before closing at 12 noon on Wednesday 13 August, which is also known as Nomination Day,” said NSW Electoral Commissioner Colin Barry said.

“The nomination process is one of the most important phases of the electoral cycle. This is when the community learns exactly who will stand to represent them on their local council.

“In the afternoon of Wednesday, 13 August, each of the 90 Returning Officers across the State will conduct the all-important draw to determine the order in which candidates’ names appear on the ballot paper.”

Mr Barry said a candidate could not nominate themselves and had to be nominated by two other electors or a registered political party.  

“All candidates must ensure that their nominators are enrolled for the council area or ward in which they are standing and nominators should check their own enrolment status,” he said.

“We suggest that candidates are proposed by more than two nominators in case some nominators are not correctly enrolled.”

Mr Barry said new disclosure laws that came into effect on 1 August required candidates to appoint an agent to manage all donations and campaign expenditure of $1000 or more.

The agent must complete an online training course with the Election Funding Authority.

Visit the Media Centre at www.elections.nsw.gov.au for an election snapshot, media releases, election handbook, local council index, key dates, boundary maps and voting information.

Information on the new disclosure legislation is available at www.efa.nsw.gov.au.

Media Contact: Adrian Kerr, NSW Electoral Commission

(02) 9290 5954   adrian.kerr@elections.nsw.gov.au