About WAEC

Our Aim
Our Purpose
Our Principles
Functions of the Electoral Commissioner

The Western Australian Electoral Commission's vision is to be recognised for excellence and as a leader in electoral administration.

We are responsible for the conduct in Western Australia of:

• State Elections & Referenda
• Local Government Postal Elections & Referenda
• Industrial and Other elections & referenda

We also maintain the electoral roll for use in State and Local Government Elections.

Our Aim

To deliver quality, innovative and accountable electoral services every time for all Western Australians.

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Our Purpose

To conduct impartial and independent elections and promote public awareness of electoral matters through education and information programs, to foster public confidence and participation in the electoral process.

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Our Principles

We are committed to the following principles to ensure that the Western Australian community will have confidence in the way we conduct our business operations:

RESPECT - that electors can have their say in the electoral decision process

INTEGRITY - in the administration of our business operations

IMPROVEMENT - in the quality and delivery of our services

SAFETY - and a healthy work environment

INNOVATION- in our strategies and processes

EVALUATION - of our performance

Our Customer Service Charter provides further information about who we are and what we do.

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Functions of the Electoral Commissioner

The Western Australian Electoral Commission was established as a department of the State Public service by proclamation of the Acts Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act on the 30 October 1987.  The Commission replaced the State Electoral Department which commenced operation when the first Electoral Act came into effect in 1904.

The Electoral Commissioner and the Deputy Electoral Commissioner both hold independent statutory appointments under the  Electoral Act 1907. They are responsible for the impartial administration of electoral law through the Western Australian Electoral Commission, which is a department of the State Public Service. The Electoral Commissioner is deemed to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. The permanent staff members of the Commission are employed under thePublic Sector Management Act 1994.

The functions of the Electoral Commissioner under the Electoral Act 1907 are to:

• be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission;
• be responsible for the proper maintenance of electoral rolls and the proper conduct of elections under the Act;
• consider and report to the Minister on electoral matters referred to the Electoral Commissioner by the Minister, and such other electoral matters as the Electoral Commissioner sees fit;
• promote public awareness of electoral and parliamentary matters, by means of the conduct of education and information programs and by other means;
• provide information and advice on electoral matters to the parliament, members of parliament, the government, and other government departments and State authorities;
• conduct elections or polls that are provided for under any other written law, if authorised to do so under that written law or regulations;
• make arrangements with any person for the conduct by the Electoral Commissioner of elections or polls not provided for under written law on such terms and conditions as are agreed between the Electoral Commissioner and that person;
• conduct and promote research into electoral matters and other matters that relate to the functions of the Electoral Commissioner;
• publish material on matters that relate to the functions of the Electoral Commissioner; and
• perform such other functions as are conferred on the Electoral Commissioner by or under the Act or any other written law.

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