The name of the candidate elected to replace Alistair Coe (pictured), member for Yerrabi, in the ACT Legislative Assembly should be known next Thursday (25 March), according to ACT Electoral Commissioner, Damian Cantwell.
Mr Cantwell said Mr Coe formally resigned from the Assembly last week (12 March).
“I am now able to outline the official timetable for filling the Legislative Assembly vacancy,” Mr Cantwell said.
“Legislative Assembly vacancies are filled by conducting a ‘countback’ of those ballot papers that elected the vacating member,” he said.
“In effect, those electors who voted for Mr Coe determine his replacement.”
Mr Cantwell said that in order to begin the countback process, an advertisement appeared in the local media this week inviting candidates who unsuccessfully stood in the Yerrabi electorate at the 2020 election to contest the vacancy.
“Where practicable the Commission will also notify all those unsuccessful candidates directly,” he said.
“Those candidates now have 10 days to indicate if they wish to contest the vacancy,” he said.
Mr Cantwell said applications from candidates must be received by 12 noon on Thursday 25 March and the official declaration of the result would take place the following day (26 March), at 3:00 pm.
