Municipal elections to go ahead as planned

THIS year’s planned local government elections will proceed as scheduled on Saturday 24 October by postal vote.

The announcement came following speculation the municipal vote would be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now the Chief Health Officer has said it’s okay to conduct the poll via “safe and secure postal votes.”

Due to physical distancing advice and to make up for limited in-person campaigning longer than normal candidate statements will be included in the ballot mail out.

“Victorians have the right to a democratic say on who represents them at all levels of government,” Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek.

“By making every vote a postal vote, we’re ensuring this vital democratic process is conducted in a safe manner that also allows for the participation of more voters.”

Voting in the 24 October ballot is compulsory and a statement from the State government said 4.5 million voters will have their say on over 2000 candidates anticipated to run in 79 local councils across Victoria.

In addition the statement said an extra $50,000 had been allocated to encourage more women to stand and “support the Labor Government’s goal of gender equality on Councils by 2025”.