AUSTRALIANS on Phuket and in Thailand have the chance to vote in the national election on August 21. The poll sets Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard against Liberal Party Opposition leader Tony Abbott.
The election is regarded as the most intriguing in 20 years, with Gillard calling the poll just three weeks after defeating former Labor Party leader and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Here's the Australian Embassy advice to would-be voters:
You can vote either in person at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok or by applying for a postal vote. You will need to know which Australian address you are currently enrolled at in order to be issued with the correct ballot papers for your electorate. You can check at www.aec.gov.au/check or by calling +61 2 6271 4411.
The Australian Embassy in Bangkok will be conducting early voting at the Consular Services Section of the Embassy Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm commencing Monday August 9. Australian Honorary Consuls in Phuket, Samui and Chiang Mai will not be providing voting services. By voting early, you may avoid queues and delays. The Embassy will also be open on election day, Saturday August 21 from 9am to 4pm. If you wish to vote in person at the Embassy please bring your valid Australian passport for Embassy security purposes. The Australian Embassy is located at 37 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok.
Please note that in coming weeks the Embassy will be closed for public holidays on Tuesday July 27 and Thursday August 12. Voting services and enquiry lines will not be available on these days.
Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote by going to www.aec.gov.au and printing off and completing an ''Application for a postal vote'' form. Postal vote applications are also available from the Australian Embassy. The Embassy will accept postal vote applications until 1700 hours Thursday August 19. Your ballot papers will then be sent to you to complete and post back.
If you opt for a postal vote, apply now so that we can get your ballot papers to you in time. Please note, however, that ballot papers will not be dispatched to voters until after the Declaration of Nominations on July 30 2010 and following the Embassy's receipt of ballot papers from the Australian Electoral Commission.
If you are unable to attend an overseas voting centre or complete a postal vote you should notify the AEC by emailing info@aec.gov.au
For more information on voting in Thailand, contact the Embassy by telephone on +66 2 3446300 (ext 518), e-mail consular.bangkok@dfat.gov.au or facsimile +66 2 3446310. More information on the Australian federal election, including information on enrolment deadlines, is available from www.aec.gov.au, by calling +61 2 6271 4411 or emailing info@aec.gov.au
The election is regarded as the most intriguing in 20 years, with Gillard calling the poll just three weeks after defeating former Labor Party leader and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Here's the Australian Embassy advice to would-be voters:
You can vote either in person at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok or by applying for a postal vote. You will need to know which Australian address you are currently enrolled at in order to be issued with the correct ballot papers for your electorate. You can check at www.aec.gov.au/check or by calling +61 2 6271 4411.
The Australian Embassy in Bangkok will be conducting early voting at the Consular Services Section of the Embassy Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm commencing Monday August 9. Australian Honorary Consuls in Phuket, Samui and Chiang Mai will not be providing voting services. By voting early, you may avoid queues and delays. The Embassy will also be open on election day, Saturday August 21 from 9am to 4pm. If you wish to vote in person at the Embassy please bring your valid Australian passport for Embassy security purposes. The Australian Embassy is located at 37 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok.
Please note that in coming weeks the Embassy will be closed for public holidays on Tuesday July 27 and Thursday August 12. Voting services and enquiry lines will not be available on these days.
Alternatively, you can apply for a postal vote by going to www.aec.gov.au and printing off and completing an ''Application for a postal vote'' form. Postal vote applications are also available from the Australian Embassy. The Embassy will accept postal vote applications until 1700 hours Thursday August 19. Your ballot papers will then be sent to you to complete and post back.
If you opt for a postal vote, apply now so that we can get your ballot papers to you in time. Please note, however, that ballot papers will not be dispatched to voters until after the Declaration of Nominations on July 30 2010 and following the Embassy's receipt of ballot papers from the Australian Electoral Commission.
If you are unable to attend an overseas voting centre or complete a postal vote you should notify the AEC by emailing info@aec.gov.au
For more information on voting in Thailand, contact the Embassy by telephone on +66 2 3446300 (ext 518), e-mail consular.bangkok@dfat.gov.au or facsimile +66 2 3446310. More information on the Australian federal election, including information on enrolment deadlines, is available from www.aec.gov.au, by calling +61 2 6271 4411 or emailing info@aec.gov.au
