9 November 2001

Voters have been urged to avoid the busy period when they vote in tomorrow's federal election.

The Australian Electoral Commissioner Mr Andy Becker said an examination of voting trends at recent elections had shown that a large percent of people voted in the morning.

"So the best time to vote without delay would be after lunch or during the early afternoon," Mr Becker said. He reminded electors however not to leave voting until the last minute.

65,000 polling officials at polling places around Australia will open their doors for voting at 8am tomorrow and close them at 6pm sharp.

Australia wide there will be about 7,500 polling places.

Mr Becker said that it was compulsory for every elector on the electoral roll to vote tomorrow if they had not already cast their vote in the weeks leading up to polling day.

Electors can find information on voting tomorrow in their Elector Leaflet - Your official guide to the Federal Election- which has been delivered to every household, by visiting the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au or by phoning 13 23 26.

Further information:

Brien Hallett Asst Commissioner Information & Research Ph. (02) 6271 4477 Mobile 0413 274 798

Anthea Wilson Director Information Ph. (02) 6271 4415 Mobile 0413 452 539