WESTLAND ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 8

WESTLAND ELECTION

WHAT HAPPENS IF VOTING EQUAL RETURNING OFFICER DECIDES With public interest quickening- over the situation at Westland, where J. O’Brien (Labour) and T. E. Y. Seddon (Nationalist) each have 4174 votes, with three absent votes to come, it is not generally known that in the event of a tie the returning- officer is to give a casting vote. This was explained by the deputy chief electoral officer (Mr. G. G. Hodgkins), in response to an ’inquiry from a Dominion representa,tive yesterday. Under section 116 of ’ the Legislature Act, “Where there is an equality of votes between any candidates and the addition of one vote would entitle one of such candidates to be elected, the returning officer, whether an elector of the district or not, shall give a casting vote.” Mr. Hodgkins said that as far as he knew an equality of votes had not arisen in New Zealand before. If the situation at Westland made it necessary for the returning officer to give a casting vote, in all probability he would follow the Parliamentary procedure and give his vote in favour of the' sitting member, though, of course, he could exercise his own discretion. Of the outstanding votes one had been disallowed, and there were three to be counted. In addition, six absent votes had been located with the returning- officer for Buller, and these, of course!, would be forwarded to the returning officer at Hokitika, who should receive them by November 18, when they' would be recorded.