Media statement from the Victorian Electoral Commissioner
Wednesday 21 October 2026
For immediate release
The following statement can be attributed to Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel:
Today I met with the Premier to discuss concerns about safety and security at voting centres.
Every Victorian has the right to participate in the upcoming election safely and free from intimidation or interference of any kind.
My team and I are working hard to make sure that continues.
We released our service plan for the state election in August, which outlines how we will maintain safety at the election. This includes:
- proactively working with safety and law enforcement agencies, such as Victoria Police
- deploying compliance officers across the state to help everyone outside voting centres to participate safely and in accordance with the law
- applying crime prevention through environmental design principles within the venues available to us, including considering layout, access points and set-up
- launching a registration system for visitors to election venues to register their name and emergency contact details
- publishing a dedicated campaigner handbook for the first time, which includes information about behaviours that the community should expect from campaigners and was co-designed with input from registered political parties to support a positive experience for everyone
- training for our election workforce, including ways to make voting a safe and enjoyable experience for every Victorian.
We have a proud history of free and fair elections where everyone has the right to participate and have their voice heard. Our role is to continue this tradition for the benefit of all current and future Victorians.