Candidates, political parties, commentators, publishers, broadcasters and the media are advised to familiarise themselves with the electoral offences listed in the Electoral Act 2004 (the Act).

The information provided about campaigning and advertising offences is a guide only. Alleged offences under the Act are assessed on a case-by-case basis and, ultimately, it is for the courts to decide in any particular case. Accordingly, if you are in doubt about the interpretation of the law in particular circumstances, you should seek independent legal advice.

Authorisation

All campaign material or electoral matter, both printed and in electronic format, must clearly state in a sufficient font size to be read by the intended audience:

• the name and address of the person authorising the publication or distribution (a post office box is not permitted)
• if printed, the name and address of the printing company stated at the end
• if the material is intended to be viewed from two sides, the above-mentioned authorisations must appear on both sides
• the source of the funding for that material, whether an associated entity, candidate, political party, third-party campaigner or otherwise.

A person must not publish or distribute any campaign material that is likely to:

• mislead an elector
• deceive an elector
• improperly interfere with an elector casting a vote
• contain an untrue or incorrect statement

What is campaign material or electoral matter?

Campaign material or electoral matter includes any advertisement or document intended to promote the electoral prospects of candidates for an election, including:

• an electoral advertisement
• a printed document such as a handbill, pamphlet, how-to-vote card, poster or sign
• a message containing electoral matter that is sent by telephone or broadcast by electronic means
• published material containing electoral matter
• car stickers or decals.

Letters to the editor of a newspaper, if published, require the name and address of the author.

An address of the author means:

• if the author is the registered officer of a registered political party - the party's address
• if the author is the proprietor of a newspaper or an employee of the proprietor of a newspaper - the proprietors business address
• otherwise - the street name and locality of the authors residence

What electoral matter does not need to include an authorisation statement?

The requirement to authorise campaign material or electoral matter does not apply to any of the following items; unless the item includes the representation of a ballot paper:

• T-shirt, button, badge, pen, pencil or balloon
• a business or visiting card that promotes the candidacy of a person in an election
• a letter or card on which the name of the sender appears
• a letter or media release published by or on behalf of a candidate

Internet, radio and television advertising

All internet (including social media), radio and television advertisements must carry official authorisation tags.

Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 requires that political matter broadcast must include:

- if the broadcasting was authorised by a political party:

• the name of the political party
• the town, city or suburb in which the principal office of the political party is situated, and
• the name of the natural person responsible for giving effect to the authorisation.

- if the broadcasting was authorised by a person other than a political party:

• the name of the person who authorised the broadcasting of the political matter, and
• the town, city or suburb in which the person lives or, if the person is a corporation or association, in which the principal office of the person is situated.

- the name of every speaker who, either in person or by means of a sound recording device, delivers an address or makes a statement that forms part of that matter.

The required particulars must be broadcast in the same language as the political matter.

Social media

The Electoral Commission takes a common-sense approach to advertising on social media. Where a candidate is advertising and commenting on their own social media account, they have clearly authorised the use of that material. However, if electoral matter appears on a social media feed other than the candidates, this must be clearly authorised.

Blackout period

A person must not engage in a campaign activity during voting hours within 100 metres of the entrance of an election day voting centre, including airspace.

Campaign activity means:

• canvassing for votes
• soliciting the vote of a person
• inducing a person not to vote for a particular candidate
• inducing a person not to vote at the election
• exhibiting a notice or sign relating to the election
• using a loud speaker, public address system or any other tool to enhance the volume of a sound to broadcast matter that is audible.

A person must not wear or display a badge, emblem, t-shirt, poster or other thing associated with a political party or candidate in a voting centre.

Please note that a 10 metre prohibition zone applies to early voting centres and mobile voting centres and locations.

Download the information sheets via the following links:

• Prohibition of canvassing within 100 metres - election day voting centres  (PDF, 212KB)
• Prohibition of canvassing within 10 metres - early and remote voting centres  (PDF, 207KB)

Designated campaign area

The commission may assign an area within the prohibition zone where limited campaign activity is allowed. Each registered candidate will be allowed up to three campaign workers in the designated area and each person must complete the relevant appointment form.

• Designated campaign area appointment form (PDF, 464KB)

A person engaged to represent a candidate in the designated campaign area will be able to conduct the following:

• Canvass for votes
• Solicit the vote of a person
• Hand out how-to-vote cards

A designated campaign area must be:

• accessible to voters; and
• avoidable by voters who do not wish to engage with campaigners.

The commission will provide written notice to all candidates of the designated campaign area as soon as practicable after it is confirmed. If there is any doubt about an exclusion zone or designated area, campaigners should confer with the officer-in-charge of the voting centre.

Code of conduct

The code of conduct requirements for candidates, campaign workers and scrutineers are to be read in conjunction with the electoral offences outlined in section 295 of the Electoral Act 2004.

The following additional conditions stipulate the behaviour expected at all voting centres and must be observed by all persons undertaking campaigning activities.

Candidates, campaign workers and scrutineers must not:

• use language that provokes violence towards other candidate or political party campaign workers or members of the public
• intimidate candidates or voters
• enter the prohibition zone set by the officer in charge of the voting centre unless duly appointed
• publish or display false information about other candidates or political parties
• plagiarise any other candidate or political party name, acronym or symbol
• offer any inducement or reward to a person to vote for a candidate or party
• destroy, remove or deface posters belonging to other candidates or political parties

A person who does not comply with these conditions may be removed from the voting centre by the officer-in-charge or by the police.

Penalties may apply.

Download a copy of the code of conduct via the following link:

• Code of conduct - Legislative Assembly elections (PDF, 133KB)

Placement of signage

Candidates and political parties are encouraged to check signage policies and by-laws of their local council, Department of Infrastructure, and Power and Water Corporation when determining where to place campaign material.

The following links provide information on signage guidelines and codes:

• Alice Springs Town Council - Signage guidelines (PDF, 176KB)
• City of Darwin - Election signage 
• Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics -  Election signage policy
• Katherine Town Council -  Signs code
• City of Palmerston - advertising signs code
• Power and Water Corporation - campaign signage (PDF, 91KB)

Part 10 of the Electoral Act 2004 requires candidates, registered political parties and their associated entities, and certain donors to disclose information to the Northern Territory Electoral Commission regarding political contributions and electoral expenditure above certain thresholds.

The reporting thresholds for the Northern Territory are lower than under Commonwealth legislation.

More information can be found on our financial disclosure pages via the following link:

• Financial disclosure in the Northern Territory

Deposit

Candidates must submit, at the time of nomination, a deposit which shall be retained until the result of the election is known. The deposit of $500 can be in cash or by electronic transfer. A personal cheque is not acceptable.

Form

Nominations can only be lodged after the close of the electoral roll and before 12:00 noon on the day nominations close.

A nomination form, deposit and photo may be lodged at a Northern Territory Electoral Commission office during business hours or emailed to the following address:

• nominations.ntec@nt.gov.au

If completed nomination forms are emailed, you can also include your photo in jpeg or png format; however, you must remember to forward the endorsement stating your full name and a statement certifying that the photograph was taken within six months before lodgement. Arrangements to pay your nomination fee can be made by calling 1800 698 683.

Nominees are strongly advised to confirm receipt of a nomination if not delivered in person.

Nominators

A candidate can be nominated by:

• six electors entitled to vote at the election in the division the candidate wishes to contest; or
• the registered officer of a registered political party.

Photograph

Regulation 3 of the Electoral Regulations 2004 provides that a nominee's photograph shall:

(a) be a black and white, full faced vertical portrait of the nominee's head and shoulders

(b) have been taken within six months before lodgement of the nominee's nomination

(c) have endorsed on the reverse side, the nominee's full name and a statement signed by the nominee certifying that the photograph was taken within six months before lodgement.

The Electoral Commissioner may, at his discretion, accept a photograph which does not comply with the prescribed requirements. Photos may be lodged electronically in image format. If lodged electronically, ensure that a copy of the statement verifying that the photo has been taken within the last six months is included in material sent and check that the photo has been received.

Withdrawal of nomination

A candidate may withdraw from election by giving notice, in writing, on the approved form. The withdrawal must be given to the Commission before 12:00 noon on the day nominations close.

A candidate may appoint a scrutineer to represent them during the voting or scrutiny or both.

The appointment is made by giving notice in the approved form to the officer-in-charge of the voting or counting centre.

Presence at a voting centre

• A scrutineer representing a candidate is entitled to be present at a voting centre, and to enter or leave the centre, when voters are in attendance.
• However, only one scrutineer representing a particular candidate may enter or remain at a voting centre at any time while voters are in attendance.

Presence at a counting centre

• A scrutineer representing a candidate is entitled to be present at a counting centre, and to enter or leave the centre, during the conduct of the count.
• However, only one scrutineer representing a particular candidate may enter or remain at a counting centre at any time while the count is conducted. If there is more than one counting table for the division at the centre, the candidate is entitled to be represented by a scrutineer at each table.

A scrutineer who fails to comply with these rules is no longer entitled to be at the voting centre or counting centre.