Due to an unusual alignment of term limits, the NT has a new electoral commissioner who has never overseen a full Territory election taking over just four months out from the August general election.

Kirsten Kelly was sworn in as the NT’s new Electoral Commissioner, commencing the role on April 25.

Ms Kelly was the deputy electoral commissioner for the last three years, during which a statement said she managed several local government elections, a couple by-elections and fee-for-service polls, but not a full Territory general election.

She previously held senior positions in the NT public service, the government said in a statement.

Concerns had been raised as far back as 2019 about the alignment of the electoral commissioner role’s terms.

The electoral commissioner can only serve two five-year terms, according to the Integrity and Accountability Bill 2019, that was enacted to limit the serving terms for the electoral commissioner and the Ombudsman, which brought those roles in line with term limits for the Auditor General and ICAC.

Ms Kelly replaces Iain Loganathan, who sat as NT Electoral Commissioner since April 2014. Mr Loganathan concludes his second five-year term on April 25.

The problem of timing was raised in an April 2019 submission from Mr Loganathan to the government committee overseeing the implementation of term limits, in which after declaring the obvious conflict of interest, suggested that the electoral commissioner term should “align with electoral cycles rather than five year terms” to better manage elections.

“One of the practical considerations in placing a tenure limit of two five-year terms for the NT Electoral Commissioner is that it does not align with the electoral cycles for Legislative Assembly and Local Government,” Mr Loganathan wrote.

“For example, my second five year term ends on 25 April 2024; consequently, the incoming Electoral Commissioner would commence in the role only four months out from the 2024 Territory election.”

However, the committee ignored his submission and enacted the term limits without altering them for the election.

Mr Loganathan said in a statement today that he believed Ms Kelly is “qualified for this role”.

“It has been an honour to serve as the NT Electoral Commissioner and I take great pride in the work the NTEC has accomplished in modernising electoral services and ensuring the integrity and transparency of elections across the Territory” Mr Loganathan said.

“I am pleased Kirsten Kelly has been appointed the next Electoral Commissioner. Her dedication and expertise make her exceptionally qualified for this role, and I have confidence in her ability to lead the NTEC forward.”

In a statement that provided no direct quotes from Ms Kelly, the government said she is “looking forward to working with stakeholders to deliver the August 2024 Territory election”.