Voter safety in November

The Victorian Electoral Commission has addressed concerns about safety and security at the November state election, including meeting with the Premier.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said every Victorian has the "right to participate in the upcoming election safely and free from intimidation or interference of any kind".

"My team and I are working hard to make sure that continues."

In August, the VEC released its service plan for the state election, which outlines how it will maintain safety at the election. This includes:

• proactively working with safety and law enforcement agencies, such as Victoria Police
• deploying compliance officers across the state to help everyone outside voting centres to participate safely and in accordance with the law
• applying crime prevention through environmental design principles within the venues available to us, including considering layout, access points and set-up
• launching a registration system for visitors to election venues to register their name and emergency contact details
• publishing a dedicated campaigner handbook for the first time, which includes information about behaviours that the community should expect from campaigners and was co-designed with input from registered political parties to support a positive experience for everyone
• training for our election workforce, including ways to make voting a safe and enjoyable experience for every Victorian.
"We have a proud history of free and fair elections where everyone has the right to participate and have their voice heard," Mr Bluemmel said.
"Our role is to continue this tradition for the benefit of all current and future Victorians."

For information on the election, including registering to vote: vec.vic.gov.au