General News
6 May, 2022
All about money: AEC
EFFICIENT use of taxpayer money was behind basing the Mallee electorate divisional office in Bendigo, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. Director media and digital engagement Evan Ekin-Smyth told the Loddon Herald: “I can confirm...
EFFICIENT use of taxpayer money was behind basing the Mallee electorate divisional office in Bendigo, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
Director media and digital engagement Evan Ekin-Smyth told the Loddon Herald: “I can confirm ... that AEC divisional office presences are not always located in the division they’re covering.
“It has been some time since we operated an individual office for each division.
“The reason - efficiency of our operations (the all-important taxpayer dollar) and the reality that operating an office in each electoral division was making less and less sense given that very little in-person interactions occur throughout the electoral cycle. Divisional offices have a range of functions that include processing enrolments and planning electoral services. These tasks do not necessitate an office in the relevant geographical area.”
The AEC said Mallee pre-poll votes would be counted on election night at local pre-poll centres except Maryborough and its Bendigo outpost centre where counting would continue after the May 21 election.
“The counting process is well administered and secured with party and candidate appointed scrutineers advised in advance of counting locations to enable their attendance,” the AEC told the Loddon Herald.
Declaration of the poll will also be in Bendigo.
The AEC has began processing postal vote applications and pre-poll opens Monday.
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