Federal election 2022: Big update on last day to register for postal vote

Highlights

• In Australia, election preparedness is in full swing as the country is scheduled to go to the polls on 21 May, 2022.
• The AEC today notified that voters must submit their postal vote applications to the AEC by no later than 6 PM on Wednesday, 18 May 2022
• The latest ABS report has revealed that Australia's wages rose 2.4% in the March quarter from a year earlier.

It’s election time in Australia and all eyes are set on the upcoming Federal elections, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday (May 21). It remains to be seen whether the voters would re-elect incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison or give a chance to a new face.

Meanwhile, in an important election related development, the Australian electoral commission (AEC) has notified that voters must submit their postal vote applications to the AEC by no later than 6 PM on Wednesday (18 May 2022). Australia will go to the polls on Saturday, 21 May 2022.

Federal elections 2022

Labor leader Anthony Albanese, also the opposition leader, is challenging Morrison for the PM post in the federal elections.

It is to be noted that two major parties primarily dominate Australian politics. To form a majority, a party has to win 76 seats in the 151-member lower house. 

Image Source: © Pinfoldphotos | Megapixl.com

Today, the AEC has reminded any voter who tested COVID-19 positive since Saturday, 14 May, that today (18 May) is their last day to apply for a postal vote in case they haven't already voted.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers has reportedly said that postal voting is the only option available for some Covid positive voters.

One can apply for a postal vote by visiting the website aec.gov.au/pva now.

As per the AEC website, approximately 2.5 million postal vote applications were received as of 15 May, up from 1.5 million at the previous federal election in 2019.

Also Read: Why is Lynas Rare Earths Limited (ASX:LYC) up 13% in two days

Meanwhile, as far as phone voting is concerned, the AEC has said that any qualified voter who tests positive for COVID-19 post 6 PM on Tuesday, 17 May can have access to a telephone voting solution, provided they haven't already voted.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers has said that a telephone voting solution would be available, but it won't apply for people who tested positive before 6 PM last night.

Once postal voting option closes this evening, the information pertaining to people who need to, and are eligible to, register for telephone voting will be available on the website.

 It is claimed that the coalition government, comprising Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison, is the second-most taxing government after the Howard government. As the poll date is approaching, the opposition has upped its ante against the Morrison government. Today's 'sluggish' wage growth data revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has fanned Labor's economic attack on the Morrison government. It is believed that the recent wage price index data indicates the widening divide between people's take-home pay and the rising cost of living.

Poll Issues:

Surveys suggest that a few issues that will remain on top of voters' minds during the elections include education, aged care, COVID-19 response and climate change. 

What lies ahead for Australia?

Amidst all this, if PM Morrison is replaced by another leader for the country's top post, the new leader will have to navigate through various issues such as rising prices, a series of climate disasters along with a change in foreign policy, especially Australia's worsening ties with its biggest trading partner China.

Also Read: PL8, FGG: These 2 ASX investment firms to pay dividend in May 2022