Untitled

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1271, 14 May 1883, Page 2

So much private influence has been brought to bear upon the present contest in order, as we contend, to force a verdict from the people m opposition alike to the interest of the electors and the popular Avill of the constituency, that we deem it necessary to point out that by the present ballot system each elector may record his vote in the manner he considers best, with th« most perfect confidence that no.person, not even the Eeturniug officer, scrutineers or poll clerks, cither before, during, or after the poll, can by any possibility know for whom he has voted, 'i his is the true privilege of the ballot. Under the old ballot system however, this perfect secrcsy was net

obtained, for the number placed by the Returning officer on the back corner of the ballot paper enabled a quick scrutineer to sometimes identify a particular paper as it passed before him in thejrial counting up. This defect in Uiej^ld system lias, however, been now effectually remedied, for prior to the ballot paper being given to the voter '^he number is placed on the back corner, and the corner is then turned, op by the Returning officer and gummed 1 down over the number. This, it will-be seen, renders it absolutely impossible for any person, but the voter himself to know the direction of the vote, No matter then by what undue influence a voter may be brought to the poll for a particular candidate, once in . the polling booth ho is perfectly %c, and may with the surest confidence TJ|ote according to the dictates of his owk. conscience. It is beyond doubt |hat extraordinary pressure is being bought to bear upon the present contest] and with this knowldge we deem unnecessary to point out to every elector |bat in the final disposition of his vote, he is left a perfectly free agent. |