The Chan Ward by-election for the City of Darwin Council has been set for Saturday, May 30, following the resignation of councillor Ed Smelt, who was elected to Parliament at the Nightcliff by-election in March.

The cost of holding the by-election has not been disclosed.

The by-election represents the third occasion in a year that residents of Chan Ward will have to vote and is the fifth time they have been to the polls since August 2024, counting the Territory election.

The Chan Ward encompasses the suburbs of Ludmilla, East Point, Fannie Bay, Nightcliff, Coconut Grove, Millner, Rapid Creek, and Jingili and currently has 12,714 registered electors.

Nominations for the upcoming by-election will open on Friday, May 8, and close at 12pm on Thursday, May 14.

The NTEC usually provides a detailed cost estimate within an electoral service agreement with the City of Darwin when it is tasked with managing an election. An NTEC spokesman said last month the projected cost of the by-election is currently unknown at this stage.

Voting day will be held on May 30, from 8am to 6pm, with Nightcliff High School the designated voting centre.

Voters and individuals interested in running for office in Chan Ward are invited to verify their enrollment before the electoral roll closes at 5 pm on May 12.

The NT Electoral Commission said postal vote applications are now open and will close at 6 pm on Thursday, May 28, with overseas applications closing at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 26.

Electors wishing to receive direct notifications via SMS or email from the NTEC regarding their voting requirements in the Territory can provide their contact details when enrolling.

The NTEC said it wishes to remind residents that participation in the 2026 City of Darwin Chan Ward By-election is mandatory, and failure to vote may incur a $25 fine.