Australian Immigration Daily News

Migration Alliance has been sent the following information.  We are aware that this relates to the Presidential candidate from the State of Victoria.  It is NOT Anka Sahin.

"The AEC has notified the MIA that they have received reports of candidates offering 'collection services' for ballot papers.

The AEC has provided the following information on this practice:

The Australia Electoral Commission is providing a service to Migration Institute of Australia to conduct this election and our rules are silent on this matter however the Australia Electoral Commission does not encourage this practice.  This is not an allowable practice in other Australian Electoral Commission ballots.  

The AEC would like to stress that the onus is on the individual voter to ensure their ballot paper is returned on time to the Returning Officer. In regard to the return of ballot material, the relationship in Fee for Service elections and ballots is normally directly between the voter and the Returning Officer. The practice of a “collection service” breaks this nexus and as such we would not agree with that.

The option of individual voters sending by Express Post at the voters expense may be a way of returning it if there is some doubt over whether it can be received by you before the voting period closes."