Chennai: For those of us who stayed away from the poll booths on May 16, Australia could be a major embarrassment. Voting is compulsory for all Australians 18 years and over, and those who do not vote will pay fines unless they give “valid and sufficient reason” to the Australian Election Commission for the failure.
Reminding his countrymen about their duty to vote, Mr Sean Kelly, Consul General for South India, said in a statement that Prime Minister Mr Malcolm Turnbull announced (last week) that the federal election would be held on July 2 and the Mission in Chennai is making all arrangements to facilitate all the Australians living in this part of this world, or passing by on that day, to cast their votes.
Mr Kelly also said Australians have until May 23 to enrol to vote in the federal election. “It is important that all Australians make sure they are properly enrolled to vote. “And for young Australians who have turned 18 since the last election, or who will turn 18 before polling day on July 2, there is not much time left to enroll to vote”, he said.
Australians can enroll to vote, or check and update their enrolment status by visiting the Australian Electoral Commission website: www.aec.gov.au.
Enrolments close at 3.30 pm IST on May 23. Australians who will be in India on polling day, July 2, can cast their ballot in one of two ways. Voting hours will be from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday from Monday, June 20 to Friday, July 1. On Election Day, Saturday July 2, voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8.30am to 3.30pm (IST), when the polls close in Australia. The Australian Consulate-General is located at 9th Floor, Express Chambers, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai.
