It is your decision as CRO as to when to accept nominations following the publication of the notice of election. You must state on the notice of election the times at which you will allow nominations to be delivered.1
You can start to accept nominations on the same day that the notice of election is published, allowing candidates more time to submit their nomination papers, or you can start accepting nominations on the day following the publication of the notice. You can accept nomination papers between the hours and from the date stated on the notice of election.
The deadline for the delivery of nominations is 4pm on the twenty-fourth working day before the poll.2
This deadline cannot be moved or extended for any reason.
A nomination paper is considered delivered when it is delivered by hand at the place specified in the notice of election.
For party candidates wishing to use a description and/or an emblem, you must also receive a certificate of authorisation or emblem request, as applicable, during the period for delivery of nominations.
No appointment is required to deliver nomination papers but you could offer and encourage appointments as a way to manage the potential volume of nominations that you will receive.
The candidate is responsible for making sure that their nomination papers are delivered in the correct manner and by the required deadline. If a completed set of nomination papers and the deposit have not been delivered before the close of nominations, the nomination has not been made which means that you cannot rule the nomination valid or invalid.3