The name of the candidate elected to replace Mr Gary Humphries in the ACT Legislative Assembly should be known in early February, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Phil Green announced today.

The Electoral Commissioner has received official notification of the casual vacancy from the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Wayne Berry MLA. Mr Humphries formally resigned from the Assembly today.

"I am now able to outline the official timetable for filling the vacancy," Mr Green said.

Assembly vacancies are filled by conducting a 'count-back' of those ballot papers that elected the vacating member. In effect, those electors who voted for Mr Humphries determine his replacement.

"To begin the count-back process, I will be placing an advertisement on Tuesday 28 January 2003 in the Canberra Times inviting candidates who unsuccessfully stood in the Molonglo electorate to contest the vacancy. Where practicable I will also notify all those unsuccessful candidates directly," Mr Green said.

Those candidates then have ten days to indicate if they wish to contest the vacancy.

"At 12.30 pm on Friday 7 February 2003 I will declare the names of the candidates contesting the vacancy. At 3.00 pm that day, a computer counting program will be used to determine which candidate will be elected to the Assembly to replace Mr Humphries. The result should be known shortly after 3.00 pm," Mr Green said.

It is expected that the official declaration of the result will take place the following Monday, 10 February 2003, at 3.00 pm.

Members of the media are invited to attend these three events. They will take place at the office of the ACT Electoral Commission, Plaza Level, Allara House, 48-56 Allara Street, Civic.

Phillip Green
Electoral Commissioner