MARKED TICKETS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 11

MARKED TICKETS.

Complaint Made by Labour Candidate. During the polling for the City Council election yesterday the returning officer (Mr J. S. Neville) had occasion to warn person’s at St John’s Church booth, Latimer Square, against their action in handing marked tickets to electors before they entered the polling booth, as this practice is contrary to the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1925. Persons offending in this fashion are liable to a fine of not more than £2O. In the afternoon Mr E. Parlane, a Labour candidate, handed the returning officer two marked Citizens’ Association tickets, which, he said, were given to himself and a friend at the St John's booth. The tickets were marked in pencil. Immediately on receipt of the complaint, the returning officer sent an assistant to the booth to issue a ■warning that no further marked tickets were to be handed to electors. It is believed that no more marked tickets were given out. Mr Parlane stated this morning that he had gone to the booth at St John’s Church, and on being asked whether he wanted a Citizens’ or a Labour ticket, he asked for the former, and was surprised to find it marked. His friend also asked for a Citizens’ ticket, and this one was also marked. Mr Parlane immediately complained to the police and to the returning officer.