DUAL VOTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 December 1928, Page 4

DUAL VOTING.

CASES AT PALAIERSTON NORTH. liiy Telegraph—Press Association.; PALMERSTON N., Dec. 7. “This shows very clearly the disadvantages under which anyone labours who cannot read, or write. These proceedings are the direct outcome of that,” said the presiding justice when Edwin Curtis was charged with dual voting in Palmerston North at the general election. From the evidence it appeared that the accused voted at one booth,' but spoilt a paper, and thinking that his vote was not valid had again voted at another booth. The returning officer said that lie was satisfied that there was no deliberate intention of casting a double vote. The accused had told him that he could neither read nor write. The Bench, holding that there was no intention to commit an offence, discharged the accused. A middle-aged lady who voted twice at another booth bad her name suppressed. Her excuse was that she' had’ voted, and on preparing to leave was asked by an official at another table for her name. Being nervous, she became flurried, took another set of voting papers ,and recorded her vote.

The accused pleaded guilty, saying that she bad no intention of casting two votes. She was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.