18 October 2002

Following the ATSIC regional council elections polling day on Saturday 19 October 2002, the Australian Electoral Commission will be working hard to produce a prompt and accurate result.

However, due to the nature of the multi-member voting system and other administrative tasks, results are not possible on election night.

The first preference votes will be available within two weeks of polling day, but the AEC must then conduct the striking of the quota, transfer of surpluses and distribution of preferences in order to determine the successful candidates.

The AEC expects that the final election results for the mainland regions will be declared in early November 2002.

Each State and Territory (excluding Tasmania*) will announce the results for all of the wards in their State or Territory at the same time. Further media advice on the exact date of these declarations will be provided.

The results will be made available on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au as soon as they are declared.

*Polling day for the Tasmanian regional council elections is Tuesday,12 November 2002.

Further information:

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner,
Information, Education and Research
Ph. (02) 6271 4477