A parliamentary election is held following the issue of a Writ.

A Writ is a document issued by the Governor (or the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in the case of a by-election). It directs the Electoral Commissioner to conduct the election.

The Governor issues Writs on the advice of the government.

Writs for a general election of members of the Legislative Assembly must be issued within four days after:

• the proclamation dissolving the Assembly has been published in the Government Gazette 
   or
• the date of the expiration of the Assembly, that is, on the completion of the four year term.

The Writ for a periodic Legislative Council election cannot be issued until after the issue of the Writs for a general election of members of the Legislative Assembly. Both elections must be on the same day.

Writs contain the:

• date by which nominations must be made
• date for the taking of the poll
• date by which the Writ must be returned.

The Electoral Commissioner is required to give public notice in daily newspapers of the information contained on the Writ.

Writs must be returned to the Governor within 60 days after their date of issue unless directed to be later by the Governor by a notice in the Government Gazette.

The Electoral Commissioner is required to certify on the Writ, giving official notice to the Governor, the name of the elected candidate for each Legislative Assembly district and the names of the elected candidates for the Legislative Council.

The issue and return of the Writs represent the official beginning and end of the election.

Legislative Assembly Writs

One Writ is issued for the election of each member of the Legislative Assembly. One member is elected to represent each of the 93 electoral districts.

Legislative Council Writ

One Writ is issued for the Legislative Council election. Members of the Legislative Council represent the whole state.