Media Release 2001: Overseas Visitors to Observe Australian Election
7 November 2001
A group of overseas electoral officials arrived in Australia last Wednesday to undertake a detailed study programme on how federal elections are administered in Australia.
The Australian Electoral Commission invited representatives from a number of established, new and developing democracies to come to Australia for detailed briefings and to observe the polling and the counting of votes.
The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, said that about 58 visitors from 19 countries were taking part in the programme.
Most of the officials will spend more than 10 days in Australia and will be briefed on all aspects of electoral administration under the Australian system.
"The briefings will cover electoral law, voter education, enrolment systems, information technology, training of polling staff and polling place planning," Mr Becker said. "In addition the visitors will have the opportunity to observe our officers carrying out a range of tasks as polling day approaches."
After spending some of their time this week in Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria to observe field operations, the visitors will return to Canberra to the National Tally Room on polling night.
Mr Becker said that while none of the countries from which the visitors come has an electoral system identical to Australia's, the principles of electoral administration remain the same. Past experience has shown that a great deal of value can be learnt from observing elections conducted under different electoral law.
Note: Visitors to the 2001 federal election will come from the following countries:
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Further information:
Michelle Moss
Project Officer
Research and International Services
Ph. 02 6271 4542
Should representatives of the media wish to interview any of the electoral officials please contact Michelle Moss on the above phone number.
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