Description of Electoral System

(courtesy of wikipedia)

The Shire of Christmas Island is a Local Government Area which manages local affairs on the Australian external territory of Christmas Island. The island is grouped with Western Australia but is administered by Department of Transport and Regional Services and an Administrator.

There is no State Government in Christmas Island; instead, state government type services are provided by contractors, including departments of the Western Australian Government, with the costs met by the Australian (Commonwealth) Government.

A unicameral Shire of Christmas Island with 9 seats provides local government services and is elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Elections are held every two years, with half the members standing for election.

Most Recent Election

(courtesy of Shrine of Christmas Island,

Source: http://www.christmas.shire.gov.cx/Community_Services/election.html)

The last Council election was held on 20 October 2007. Five of  fourteen candidates were to be elected for the vacant offices. Four councillors at 4 year term until 2011 and one councillor at 2 years term until 2009 as Members of Council. The vote turnout of 599 out of 891 eligible voters was quite high in comarison to previous years.

The next Council election is due in October 2009.