CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume XXXII, Issue 4433, 15 October 1879, Page 3

CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS.

[By Telegraph. J The Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill contains twenty-one clauses. The following offences are deemed bribery : —Giving, lending, or agreeing to lend or give, or offering, or promising to procure any money, or valuable consideration, giving or promising any office, or place of employment, making any gift or loan, advancing or paying, or causing to be advanced or paid any money to be expended in bribery to secure votes at an election. Suoh offences are to be punished by fine or imprisonment and forfeiture of a £100 to any informant. Conveyances may be provided for voters, bnt no money paid as travelling expenses. Treating is defined as corruptly, by (one self or any other person, or by any ways or means on the candidate's behalf, before, during, or after an election, directly or indirectly giving, providing, causing to be given or provided, or paying wholly or in part any expenses incurred for any meat, drink, entertainment or provision to electors. This is punishable by a fine of fifty pounds, and the voidance of the vote of the person accepting the treat. Undue influence is defined as threatening force, violence or restraint, damage, loss, or injury, obstruction, duress, or fraudulent contrivance to prevent or interfere with the free exercise of the franchise. The penalty is £50. The names of persons guilty of bribery are to be expunged from the electoral roll, and inserted in a separate list, and published for three years as an appendix to the electoral roll. Persons giving refreshment on polling day to an elector on account of his having polled or being about to poll, are to forfeit £40. No cockades are to be given at elections, or flags, party banners, or emblems are to be displayed, or band of musio to be employed. Prosecutions and actions must be commenced within one year after the committal of the offence charged. Personation is punishable with imprisonment not exceeding two years. Any candidate who, by himself or agents, is guilty of bribery, treating, undue influence, or personation, is disqualified from election to Parliament, but the disqualification is reversible where perjury has been committed by the person accusing him.