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                    Election Period Policy (Caretaker Policy)

                    On 25 August 2020, the Melbourne City Council adopted the Governance Rules that include the Election Election Period Policy (Caretaker Policy).

                    ​​​The Election Period Policy defines appropriate procedures and practices to ensure that the general elections for the Melbourne City Council (to be held in October 2020) and subsequent elections are conducted in a manner that is ethical, fair and equitable and are publicly perceived as such.

                    Election period provisions are intended to assure the community that councils and councillors will avoid certain actions and decisions which could be seen to be influencing voters or which will have a significant impact on the incoming Council. Specific provisions apply to all councils during the election period. The provisions will apply from 22 September 2020 until 6pm on 24 October 2020, inclusive.

                    In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, a Council must prepare and adopt an Election Period Policy, must continue to maintain the policy, review it, and if required, amend the policy not later than 12 months before the commencement of each subsequent general election period. The Act further specifies the policy must include:

                    • procedures intended to prevent the Council from making inappropriate decisions or using resources inappropriately during the election period before a general election
                    • limits on public consultation and the scheduling of Council events
                    • procedures to ensure that access to information held by Council is made equally available and accessible to candidates during the election.

                    Read the policy

                    The Election Period Policy is chapter 7 (page 31) of the Governance Rules document:

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