Expanded scope for in-depth review of elections

• Scope of election day evaluation expanded
• External reviewers will look at local government and by-elections up to and during Saturday 16 March
• Expansion follows community feedback

Queuing, ballot paper shortages and other related election day issues will be examined in an expanded in-depth external review commissioned by the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ).

Nous Group was commissioned by ECQ in November last year to evaluate the local government elections and provide recommendations on areas for operational improvements.

Following election day, the ECQ discussed expanding the scope of the evaluation with Nous Group to include specific focus on known election day issues such as queuing and ballot paper shortages and other related issues.

ECQ and Nous Group will discuss the detail and scope in further detail this week.

It’s expected the full evaluation will be completed by mid-year.

It will inform the ECQ’s report on delivery of the elections which is scheduled to be finalised for public release prior to the October State election.

In addition to the external review, information will be gathered by reports from auditors working in the field on election day, data on voting trends and polling booth demand and a post-election survey of voters and local governments following the Easter period.

The engagement of an external supplier to evaluate ECQ’s election delivery is consistent with the practice undertaken for the 2020 local and state government elections.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“We have heard from some of our Queensland communities that voting in this year’s local government and by-elections was far from ideal.

“Long lines, not enough ballot papers - and other issues that made voting confusing or difficult - are all things that really shouldn’t be happening in 2024 and we owe it to Queenslanders to make sure the ECQ gets this right.

“I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the external review.”

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“It is essential that every Queenslander is able to exercise their democratic right to vote.

“I met with the electoral commissioner on the Monday following the local government elections, who committed to a detailed review of the ECQ’s service delivery model prior to the October state election.

“It is my expectation that this review will identify areas for improvement, including a review of staffing levels, to ensure the ECQ improves the voting experience for voters.

“I welcome the ECQ’s decision to expand the scope of the review to address election day criticisms, which will help inform and improve the future delivery of electoral services.”

ENDS