EMERGENCY REGULATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24783, 6 December 1941, Page 10

EMERGENCY REGULATION

WITHDRAWAL FROM CONTESTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. A candidate for election to the House of Representatives is enabled to withdraw from the contest up to within two days of polling day by the Electoral Emergency Regulations, 1941, which were gazetted to-night. The statement, that this was to be done was contained in a letter ; sent the previous night to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, by the Prime Minister. Mr P. Fraser, who urged that an arrangement should be made between the Government and the Opposition parties to avoid byelections between now and the next general election. Hitherto a candidate wishing to withdraw from an election contest has had to do so before the time for the closing of the nominations, but the emergency regulation extends the eime during which the candidate may withdraw to not later than two clear days before the 'day appointed for the taking of a poll. Should a candidate withdraw after the ballot papers have been printed the returning officer shall, before the poll, erase his name from •very ballot paper.