"There are only two months left for new political parties to apply for registration for the 2008 ACT Legislative Assembly election", the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Phillip Green, said today.

“New parties wanting to run candidates in the 2008 election need to get their application for registration to the ACT Electoral Commissioner by the end of June,” Mr Green said.  “Applications must be accompanied by the constitution of the party and the names of at least 100 members of the party who are on the ACT electoral roll.”

"The main advantage of registration for a party was the right to list party candidates in a column under the party’s name on ballot papers", Mr Green said.  Registered parties are also given other rights, such as the right to nominate candidates and to receive copies of the electoral rolls.

Five political parties are currently registered to contest the 18 October 2008 election.  These parties are the Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch), Free Range Canberra, Liberal Democratic Party, Liberal Party of Australia (A.C.T. Division) and The ACT Greens.  Party details are available from the Commission or can be viewed on the Commission’s website.

Phillip Green
Electoral Commissioner