WHAT HAPPENS IF TIE OCCURS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17689, 9 November 1925, Page 7

WHAT HAPPENS IF TIE OCCURS.

RETURNING OFFICER HAS CASTING VOTE. The Lyttelton and Westland elections are so close on the preliminary counts that there has been a certain amount of speculation as to what would happen in the event of a tie occurring. A popular impression is that the candidates may draw lots to see who wins, but that is not the case. Section 146 of the Legislature Act, 1908, makes the position perfectly clear. It provides as follows: Where there is an equality of votes between any candidates, and the addition of a vote would entitle one of such candidates to be declared to be elected, the Returning Officer (whether an eletcor of the district or not) shall give a casting vote. The election for the Riccarton seat in 1599 was the closest in the history, of New Zealand, Mr G. W. Russell (Liberal) defeating the sitting member, the Hon William Rolleston (Conservative) by only one vote. The preliminary count on election night gave Mr Rolleston a lead of nine votes, with eight shearers’ votes to be counted. After the official count and scrutiny the figures were announced as follows: —Russell 1567. Rolleston 1566. Majority for Russell, 1. CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH. The official count for Christchurch South, minus the absentee votes, which will not be available for some days, resulted as follows: *E» J. Howard (Lab.) 5692 11. G. Ell (Ind.-Lib.) 4142 Informal 18S Majority for Howard 1550 As compared with the provisional figures issued on. election night, Mr Howard’s majority has been increased by 107 votes. The figures -for each candidate at the Jerrold Street booth had been transposed-