THE ELECTORAL LAWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8375, 22 July 1905, Page 5

THE ELECTORAL LAWS.

NEW AMENDING ACT.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 22

The new Electoral Act is a consolidating measure of 233 clauses wit* a number of amendments to the existing law. It provides for the appointment of a chief and deputy registrars to administer the Act. The general rolls close on March 31 each year, and supplementary rolls are to be issued as required. All electoral rights except seamen's are abolished, but voters absent from a district where they were enrolled may vote outside the district on a permit, for a candidate within his own electorate.

Regulations are provided for the custody of ballot papers. Returningofficers are liable to a fine of £100 for f ailins; to take steps to secure the safe custody of the papers, and similar fines are provided for any person who allows the copy of a ballot-paper printed by him to come into the possession of any person other than the returning-officer, or who has in his possession a ballotpaper other than that given him to record his vote.

A fine of £20 is provide^ for interference with an elector at the pollingbooth or on the way thereto, with the intention of influencing him or advising as to his vote; the printing or the distributing of mock ballotpapers or making a public demonstration.

The Maori elections are to be carried out on similar lines to the European. Members of Parliament 'are disqualified on becoming Government oontractors or Civil s&rvants. '

A separate retuming-oificer is to bo appointed in each district, and no officer or registrar shall hold an official position in connection with any political organisation. The failure to deliver a claim for enrolment renders the offender liable to- a fine of £20, in default three months' imprisonment.

Factories, are not compelled to close on election day, but employees must have an hour off to vote, and opportunity must be given to employees to enrol. ■ _