Who controls the federal elections, is there an organisation?

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for running federal elections and referendums. The AEC is also responsible for maintaining the list of all people entitled to vote, this is called the electoral roll.

The AEC is an independent government agency. The AEC makes sure that elections are fair and legal. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Australian Constitution set out the legal requirements for running federal elections.

Three people are standing, filling in their ballot papers in voting booths.

People voting

Australian Electoral Commission

People voting

Three people are standing, filling in their ballot papers in voting booths.

Australian Electoral Commission

Description

Three people are in a polling place completing their ballot papers in cardboard voting booths. Each voter is separated in their own booth to ensure their vote is secret.