Asia-Pacific

Court declares parts of Australian electoral law invalid

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-06 11:50

CANBERRA -- Up to 100,000 more Australians could be allowed to vote in the August 21 election after the High Court on Friday ruled parts of the Electoral Act were unconstitutional.

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The advocacy group GetUp! believes tens of thousands of people may have been excluded from the electoral rolls because they missed registration deadlines introduced by the Howard government in 2006.

Before the changes, voters had just seven days after an election was called to enroll to vote. Under the new laws, the rolls shut on the day the election writs were issued.

In a majority ruling, the full bench of the High Court on Friday declared certain parts of the act invalid. That will mean anyone who was seven days late with their enrollment will now be able to vote.

The Australian Electoral Commission has made plans to ensure those voters will now be included on the rolls for the upcoming federal election.

Australia's general election date was set on 21 August.