SERVICE VOTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1943, Page 8

SERVICE VOTING

SYSTEM EXPLAINED

SECRECY OF BALLOT

Steps taken to preserve the secrecy of the ballot in the voting by service men and women at their camps and stations in New Zealand were explained today by Mr. J. Brennan, special returning officer for service personnel. While it was possible from the embarkation lists to compile rolls of the members of the services overseas, this was not practicable in the case of those still in New Zealand, and during this week and last week facilities have been provided for them to vote by declaration at their camps or stations. Each service man and woman issued with a paybook must produce it for endorsement; if a paybook has not been issued a certificate from the commanding officer must be produced to the effect that to the best of that officer's knowledge and belief the member of the Forces is entitled to vote. Each member of the Forces is given in the booth a declaration form on which his name and home address are to be stated, a voting paper and envelope to contain that vote, and an outer envelope to include the declaration form and the sealed vote. The votes, together with the declarations, are sent to the returning officer at Wellington and there the outer envelope only is opened. The declaration is checked and set aside: the sealed envelope containing the vote is endorsed and then placed in the locked ballot-box for the particular electorate for which the service member

voted. The declaration and the sealed vote are entirely dissociated and are not brought together again, except in the event of any inquiry .on the ground of alleged dual voting or something of that kind. Tonight, after the voting by service personnel at the special booths ceases at 7 o'clock, the ballot-boxes for each of the electorates will be opened, and in the presence of two Justices of the Peace a start will be made with the counting of the votes. The counting will be ..resumed tomorrow morning, and it is hoped by 8 o'clock tomorrow night to have the final results available for inclusion in the votes cast .that;day. by civilian voters. Service voting returns from overseas will also be available tomorrow night.

Service personnel in New Zealand who have not voted at their camps or stations since those facilities were available have the right to vote tomorrow. If they are stationed in the electorate for -which they are. registered they may vote in the usual way. ■ForV others the ordinary declaration or. absentee voting facilities are available: Paybboks or a certificate signed by the commanding officer must, however, be presented.