"PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL ACT, 1872."

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 64, 26 September 1872, Page 3

"PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL ACT, 1872."

The " Provincial Electoral Act, 1872," introduced by the Hon. Mr Gisborne, is intended to consolidate and amend the laws regulating the election of Superintendents of provinces and members of Provincial Councils. It is divided into three parts, referring to the qualifications of Superintendents and members of Councils ; registration of electors and proceedings at elections ; and miscellaneous. It proposes to repeal sections 4, (5, and 7 of the Constitution Act, and the whole of the Disqualifications Act, 1858, "the Superintendents Election Signification Disallowance Act, 18(56," the "Provincial Elections Act, 1858," and the " Provincial Elections Act Amendment Act, 1869." The first part provides for the election of Superintendents by persons qualified to elect members of the Councils, for the disallowance of the election by the Governor, and for the removal of Superintendents "by her Majesty" from their office on receipt of an address signed by a majority of the Council praying for such removal'. It further provides for the election of members of Provincial Councils, and renders it unnecessary that a member's qualilieation shall be in the district which lie represents. Persons holding any office of emolument or place of profit in any department of the General Government are to disqualified from holding either the office of Superintendent or a seat in the Provincial Councils—members of the Executive or responsible Ministers of the Crown exeeptecl. The penalty for an infringement of this clause to be a fine of £20 for every day such should take place. Part three, provides that all electors duly registered according to the provisions of the Electoral Act—the new one which gives the extending franchise—shall be voters at provincial elections, the electoral roll of the House of Representatives to be evidence as to the right of votes. The Superintendents may, with the advice of their Executives, divide their provinces into electoral districts. Several clauses referring to the conduct of elections are also in the bill. Bribery and undue influence will be punished under the " Regulation of Elections Act, 1872."