Feedback and complaints

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission (NTEC) values all feedback to ensure continuous improvement to our processes and practices.

You are welcome to provide feedback or make a complaint about the service you have received from the NTEC.

Electoral advertising

If you are considering making an electoral advertising complaint, please view the relevant fact sheet which provides the legislative provisions the campaign material is assessed against.

• Authorisation of campaign material (PDF, 1MB)
• Campaign material (PDF, 1MB)

How to provide feedback

Feedback on NTEC services and operations can be provided by emailing us at ntec@nt.gov.au.

Or you can:

• phone us on:
  • 1800 698 683 (within NT)
  • +61 8 8999 5000 (interstate or overseas)
• visit us at:
  • Level 3, TCG Centre
    80 Mitchell Street
    Darwin NT
• write to us at:
  • NT Electoral Commission
    GPO Box 2419
    Darwin NT 0801

How to submit a complaint

We handle 2 types of complaints.

Service complaints: Complaints about services provided by NTEC, or the operations of NTEC.

Electoral complaints: Complaints alleging a breach or breaches of provisions of either the Electoral Act 2004 or the Local Government Act 2019, by NTEC or any other person or entity (including political parties).

Making a complaint

You can lodge a complaint by emailing us at ntec@nt.gov.au.

or you can write to us at:

• NT Electoral Commission
  GPO Box 2419
  Darwin NT 0801

The complaint must establish the facts which are the basis of the allegation and be supported by evidence of any alleged electoral offence.

If sufficient evidence is not submitted, we may seek further information to enable proper assessment of the complaint. The matter will remain on hold until we have the information.

What you can expect from us:

• Where contact details are provided, we will acknowledge all feedback and complaints within 2 business days.
• We aim to resolve most complaints within 5 business days.
• In complex matters which cannot be resolved within 5 business days, we will advise on the time frame expected and keep the complainant up to date throughout the process.
• We may request information from complainants, respondents and other parties in order for the Electoral Commissioner to make their determination. If deadlines for these requests are not met, the Electoral Commissioner may make a determination without the information.
• We will treat all matters in a fair, unbiased and objective manner. You will not be adversely affected if you make a complaint.
• Any personal information provided in your feedback or complaint will be managed in accordance with relevant legal and policy requirements.

We will be clear about how a complaint has been resolved. Where a complaint remains unresolved or cannot be resolved satisfactorily, we will provide information about how our handling of a complaint can be reviewed or appealed.

Confidentiality

We treat complaints and feedback confidentially; however, in some circumstances, we may be required to disclose information to resolve the complaint or feedback.

Where the parties involved in a complaint have publicised the matter, the Electoral Commissioner may confirm the existence of a complaint with the media but will not discuss the details.

We may make public comments regarding feedback and complaints, in order to ensure electors are aware of a situation and or have accurate information.