DUAL VOTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20586, 8 December 1928, Page 19

DUAL VOTING.

TWO PERSONS CHARGED. COMMISSION OF 1 OFFENCE NOT INTENDED, {Per United Press Association.) „ PALMERSTON N., December 7. “ This shows very clearly the disadvantages under which anyone labours who cannot read nor write, and these proceedings are the direct outcome of that,” said th. presiding justice, when Edwin Curtis was charged with dual-voting at Palmerston North at the general election. From the evidence it appeared that the defendant voted at one booth, but spoilt the paper. Thinking that the vote was not valid, he again voted at another booth. The returning officer said he was satisfied that‘there was no deliberate intention on defendant’s part in 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, the defendant was discharged. A middle-aged, woman who voted twice had her name suppressed. Her excuse was that she had voted, and on preparing to leave the booth was asked by an official at another table'for her name. Being nervous,, she became flurried, and took another set of voting-papers and recorded her vote. She pleaded. guilty, saying that she had no intention of casting two votes. She was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.