By-elections are cyber-attack free: AEC

Despite earlier fears of foreign interference and cyber attacks, five by-elections have gone off without a hitch, the electoral commission says.

An AEC ballot box.

The electoral commission says voting on Super Saturday is safe. (AAP)

The electoral commission says its computers have not been subject to a cyber attack, despite high-level concerns about the prospects of foreign interference in five by-elections and worries about vulnerabilities in government systems.

The federal government demanded the parliament urgently pass two pieces of legislation to prevent foreign interference because of the potential for the disruption of Saturday's by-elections.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said last month when bringing in the laws that "activity designed to interfere with democratic processes" had increased and the threat environment become "more acute"

As well, government cyber security in June met with electoral officials from across the country to discuss potential cyber threats.

An Australian Electoral Commission spokesman told AAP the commission's computers had not been the subject of a cyber attack since the by-election writs were issued.

"The AEC works with relevant government agencies and maintains a high degree of vigilance over the risks of cyber attacks," the spokesman said.


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Source: AAP



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