Thousands escape fines for not voting

More than a third of those enrolled failed to vote in the compulsory poll.

While the election was conducted by the NT Electoral Commission, it is up to the council whether it chooses to pursue those who failed to vote in the compulsory elections which were declared in September.

Some NT councils have chosen to fine people for not voting.

Palmerston council was among them from their later election in March this year.

Fines are set at about $50.

Katherine council today said it was now unlikely to follow suit.

Of the 5630 enrolled to vote in the Katherine poll, 63.5 per cent of those voted.

Which means more than 2000 did not vote.

Pursuing those who failed to vote would have raised more than $100,000 which does not take into account the cost of collecting the fines through mailouts.