Early voters to know candidates in clear

The Australian Electoral Commission will publish citizenship details of candidates the day before polls open in five by-elections.

Bill Shorten and Longman candidate Susan Lamb at a campaign rally.

Super Saturday voters will be assured of the citizenship of candidates under new rules. (AAP)

Voters in five federal by-elections will get to see whether their candidates are eligible to sit in parliament a day before early voting opens.

The July 28 by-elections in Perth, Fremantle, Braddon, Mayo and Longman will be the first held under new rules which require all candidates to publicly provide details about their eligibility under the constitution.

The rule change followed the dual citizenship fiasco which led to a number of senators being replaced and sitting MPs having to contest by-elections.

The Australian Electoral Commission told AAP on Monday the declarations by candidates would be published on July 9, before early voting opens the next day.

The final list of candidates will be known on July 6.

The Labor and Liberal parties insist their candidates have taken steps to guarantee their eligibility.

Four of the five by-elections were triggered by dual citizenship issues.


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Source: AAP



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