Authorisation of electoral matter on the internet

Under section 191(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2004, all electoral matter published on the internet between the issue of the writ for an election and the close of poll at that election must contain the name and address of the responsible person at the end.

Address means a street address (not a post office box or an electronic address) at which the responsible person resides or can be readily contacted.  

Responsible person means the person taking responsibility for causing electoral matter to be published.

Electoral matter means matter which is intended or likely to affect voting in an election.

The Electoral Commissioner recommends that candidates and other persons with websites (including ‘Facebook’ pages) containing electoral matter should ensure that the name and address of the responsible person appears on each page.

For example, an appropriate place to include authorisation on a website would be on a footer, or on ‘Facebook’ at the end of a post that contains electoral matter.

This page was last modified on Tuesday, 12 July, 2011 10:43 AM
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