Counting information

• after voting closes at 6pm, authorised officers open ballot boxes
• ballot papers are removed and unfolded
• ballot papers are then sorted by the candidate who received the voter’s first preference (or number 1)
• informal ballot papers are placed in a separate pile and are counted separately.
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The first preference results for each candidate and the number of informal ballot papers are posted on the results page

After the first preference count, referred to an ‘interim distribution of preferences ’ in the Electoral Act 2004 is conducted, which is also known as a TCP count.

• This means ballot papers are distributed to the 2 candidates who are expected to have the most first preference votes.
• The TCP count is done to provide an early indication of the candidates most likely to be elected, as this is not always clear from first preferences.
• The determination of the TCP candidates is made by the Electoral Commissioner before election day and is based on various factors, including historical voting patterns from past elections.
• In cases when the selected TCP candidates is not correct, the TCP count will still be conducted with the selected candidates but results will not displayed on the website.

The TCP with the correct candidates will be conducted and published before the fresh scrutiny.

Important: The TCP count has no effect on the final results.

On the Monday after election day, a fresh scrutiny (referred to a check count in the Electoral Act 2004) will take place at the Darwin and Alice Springs scrutiny centres. This will check the initial count and is essentially a full review of the counts conducted on election night. At a fresh scrutiny:

• all ballot papers counted on election night are reviewed and counted again
• some ballot papers that were initially considered informal on election night may be deemed formal and placed against a candidate
• some ballot papers that were previously considered formal may be deemed informal and excluded from the count
• any mis-sorted ballot papers will be placed to the correct candidate.

Updated results from the fresh scrutiny will be published on the NTEC website.

Voters must complete their postal votes by 6pm on election day. The deadline for the return of postal votes is 12 noon on the second Friday after election day (Friday 6 September 2024).

Absent votes are exchanged so they can be counted at the relevant scrutiny centre. This exchange being as soon as practicable after election day. Absent votes are counted on the first Friday after election day, with the second intake of postal votes.

Declaration votes are issued where a voter cannot be found on the electoral roll and where the voter believes they have an entitlement to vote.

Declaration votes are processed first to determine if they can be admitted to the count. Admitted declaration votes will be counted on the first Friday after election day (if ready) or on the second Friday with the final intake of returned postal votes.

A full distribution of preferences cannot be conducted until all postal and declaration votes have been admitted and undergone an initial count and fresh scrutiny.

To be elected, a candidate must receive more than 50 per cent of the total formal votes for their division (i.e. 50% + 1). Candidates can be elected in 2 ways:

1. On first preference votes: If a candidate receives more than half of the first preference votes, no further counting is required.

2. Distribution of preferences: If no candidate initially achieves more than 50% of the first preference votes, a distribution of preferences is conducted. The candidate with the least formal votes is ‘excluded.’ Each ballot paper from the excluded candidate is then redistributed to the candidate next in line according to the voter’s preferences.

This process continues until one candidate achieves more than 50% of the formal votes, making them the elected candidate.

This means the elected candidate has the support of the majority of voters in the election.

Section 128 of the Electoral Act 2004 details how the distribution of preference count is conducted.

Anyone, including a candidate, can request a recount before the election results are officially declared, but must do so in writing clearly stating the reasons for the recount.

• A recount may be undertaken, approved, or directed at any time before the election result is officially declared.
• A recount request must identify specific ballot papers and significant counting errors or irregularities that could potentially change the election result within a a division. If the margin of votes on the initial count is 100 or less, a recount will automatically be initiated by the NTEC.
• The Electoral Commissioner also has the authority to order a recount at their discretion.
• It is important to note that a recount is distinct from the fresh scrutiny which is a ‘check count’ of votes counted on election night.

Section 130 of the Electoral Act 2004 describes the recount process.