Media in Voting Locations
No cameras are permitted in any voting location to ensure the secrecy of the vote is not compromised.
No electronic communications devices, including cellular phones, are allowed in a voting location during voting hours without prior permission of the Returning Officer.
Exception – With PRIOR permission arranged through the Returning Officer for the electoral district an exception will be made for candidates casting their ballot to allow cameras. The DRO/SDRO will not admit media into the poll without proof of permission.
Media Welcome at Close of Polling Day
Historically, news media have attended returning/satellite offices at the close of election day. Returning Officers should be prepared to set aside space in their office to accommodate them. However telephones or internet access must be pre-arranged and provided by the media.
Returning Officers should be able to provide to the media the:
- numbers of polling places reporting;
- number of votes cast for each candidate;
- cumulative totals; and
- referendum results.
Please remember that results tallied the night of election day are unofficial. The official count is held in the returning office as soon as possible after polling day.