The Electoral Commission of Queensland has released details for the 2016 Local Government Quadrennial Elections.

Polling day is set down for Saturday 19 March 2016, with polling booths open from 8:00am to 6:00pm in all councils, other than those conducting full postal ballot elections.

This local government election will be conducted alongside the state referendum, announced by the Premier on Friday.

Candidate nominations are now open and will be accepted until noon on Tuesday 16 February 2016. Candidates can nominate online on the Commission’s website, or in person at the office of their local returning officer on Monday.

The Guide for Candidates Handbook is here and ECQ website states it should be read in conjunction with the Local Government Electoral Act 2011, Local Government Act 2009 and City of Brisbane Act 2010.

Electoral Commissioner Walter van der Merwe has set the election timetable here.

“Voters are reminded that there will be no absentee voting in the local government elections. Electors must vote in the local council area in which they are enrolled. If you have recently moved address, there is only a small window of opportunity to update your enrolment before the electoral rolls are finalised for the election,” Mr van der Merwe said.

To update address details, or to enrol to vote for the first time, electors can visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s website at www.aec.gov.au/enrol.

For information about the local government elections, visit the ECQ’s website www.ecq.qld.gov.au or call the helpline 1300 881 665.