VALIDITY OF ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 102, 2 May 1929, Page 9

VALIDITY OF ELECTION.

HARBOUR BOARD POLL FORM OF BAT-LOT PAPERS. WAS ACT OBSERVED? A report was circulated in Auckland to-dav to the effect that a development was probable in connection with the election of the Harbour Board representative of the counties of Franklin and Manukau. The allegation was made that the voting papers used in all booths in these two counties did not comply with the act. The candidates concerned are Messrs. H. R. Mackenzie, the retiring chairman, and E. Allan, whose totals were 2924 and 1513 respectively. The Act which regulates the election of local bodies provides that at the top of the ballot paper the name of the local body shall be stated, and next that the number of candidates to be elected shall be set forth. A further statutory requirement is that the surname of each candidate shall be given with his Christian name, or names, following, and under these shall be set forth the instructions how to vote. "I have heard of no objection so far," said the returning officer. Mr. W. G. Patterson, when spoken to at Pukekohe this morning. In reply to questions. Mr. Patterson said that neither the name of the local body nor the number of candidates to be elected was stated at the top of the ballot paper used yesterday. He also said that the surnames only of the two candidates were printed on the papers. As for the number to be elected, this was made clear in the instructions for voting as given at the bottom of the ballot paper, the instructions making it clear that each elector was required to vote for only one candidate, by striking out the name of the candidate, for whom he did not wish to vote. As far as could be ascertained to-day there is no intention on the part of Mr. Allan or his supporters to take steps to upset the election. Unless a protest is recaived within three days after the declaration of the noli, which follows the completion of the official count, the election will stand.