The City of Darwin Chan Ward By-election will be held on Saturday 30 May.
Nominations will be open from Friday 8 May 2026 and close at 12:00 pm on Thursday 14 May 2026.
Election Day voting will be held on Saturday 30 May from 8:00am to 6:00pm at Nightcliff High School, with early voting open from Saturday 23 May at Rapid Creek Business Village.
City of Darwin is encouraging community-minded residents to consider nominating for the upcoming Chan Ward By-election.
The by-election, in accordance with the Local Government Act 2019, follows the resignation of Ed Smelt, former Elected Member for Chan Ward, who stepped down after being elected as the Member for Nightcliff. The Chan Ward is made up of the suburbs of Ludmilla, East Point, Fannie Bay, Nightcliff, Coconut Grove, Millner, Rapid Creek and Jingili.
City of Darwin Lord Mayor, Peter Styles, said the by-election offered a unique opportunity for residents to play an active role in shaping the future of Darwin.
"Serving as an Elected Member allows individuals to contribute to important decisions on local services, infrastructure, community programs and strategic planning, while representing the interests and aspirations of the community," Mr Styles said.
"Being an Elected Member is a rewarding way to make a tangible difference at a grassroots level, connect with the community and help guide the continued growth and development of Darwin.
"Community-minded individuals with a passion for local issues are encouraged to consider nominating," he said.
Residents interested in nominating are encouraged to act early and ensure they are enrolled to vote.
To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled by 5:00pm on Tuesday 12 May and reside in the Darwin municipality. Candidates are not required to live in Chan Ward.
Important dates
Friday 8 May: Nominations open
Monday 11 May: City of Darwin candidate information session
Tuesday 12 May: Electoral role closes at 5:00 pm
Thursday 14 May: Nominations close at 12:00 pm (noon), declaration of nominations
Monday 18 May: Postal and mobile voting commences
Saturday 23 May: Early voting commences (voting at Rapid Creek Business Village)
Sunday 24 May: Early voting closed - no voting available on this day.
Monday 25 May: Early voting reopens
Saturday 30 May: Election Day (voting at Nightcliff High School) from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Monday 15 June: Declaration of election result
An information session for interested candidates will be held at the Civic Centre on Harry Chan Avenue on Monday 11 May 2026 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm.
