Saturday's poll will provide a successor for Michael Gunner, who vacated the Darwin seat after also stepping down as the Territory's chief minister.

Labor's Brent Potter has drawn the top spot on the ballot paper, with his main rival, Ben Hosking from the Country Liberal Party, in the sixth spot.

Mr Potter is an army veteran and father of four who has most recently worked as a government adviser.

Mr Hosking owns a small business and is a former police officer.

Three independents - George Mamouzellos, Raj Samson Rajwin, and Leah Potter - are also contesting the poll, along with Greens candidate Jonathan Parry.

About 5400 people are enrolled to vote in Fannie Bay, with some of those choosing to vote early or cast a postal ballot.

The past three Fannie bay MPs have served as the NT's chief minister.

The CLP's Marshall Perron first took the seat in 1983 after his previous electorate of Stuart Park was abolished in a redistribution.

He became chief minister in 1988, serving until 1995 when he quit parliament as it began debating voluntary euthanasia laws, something he strongly supported.

Labor's Clare Martin then surprisingly won the seat in a by-election before becoming opposition leader in 1999 and chief minister when the ALP won office in 2001.

Ms Martin served until 2007 and quit politics at the 2008 election, when Mr Gunner retained the seat for Labor.

After Labor lost office in 2012, Mr Gunner went on to become opposition leader in 2015 and chief minister from 2016, when the party won with a convincing majority.

He stepped down in May, after leading Labor to another win in 2020 when the party lost four seats.

Australian Associated Press