DEATH BEFORE POLL

Chronicle (Levin), 13 November 1946, Page 2

DEATH BEFORE POLL

THE ELECTORAL PROCEDURE WELLINGTON, Nov. 12. The question was raised yesterday ot wliat wouid happen in the event of tjie death of a general election candidate before polling day and after the closing i of uomiiiations. This does not arise in the case of the Wellington Central electorate, because nominations have not yet elosed, but it is a eontingency for wliich provision is made in the Electoral Aet and tlie xirocedure to be followed is also laid dowii in the Aet in the event of a candidate dying on polling day before the j closing of the poll. ' If a caudidate who has not with- ! drawn dies after the closing of : noininatioiis aud before polling day, the , Iteturning Officer is required to : couiitermand liotico of the poll. Should • a candidate die on polling day before the closing of the poll, the Returning Oiiicer must immediately close the poll and declare it to be null and of no ell'eet. Iu either of such eases all election proceedings have to be coinmenced afresh iu all respects, cxcepl that it is not liecessary to nominate agaiii any candidate who at the timo of the coimlermaiid or closing of the poll was duly iiominalcd. i When any poll is interrupted because of Ihe death of a candidate all ballot papors that have been placed in ballot ltoxes have to be taken out by Ihe dcpiitv returning ollicers, aml after being made up into sealcd packages. lntve to be- sent by tliem unopened to Ihe lvcturning Uflicer, who is required , f'orthwilh,' in Ihe presence of a Magistrute or a dustiee of the Pcace to burn or olherwise destroy the sealed packtages unopened. I If the death of a successful candidate ( should oceur. after the poll has been | taken, the procedure relating to the liolding of a by-election would apply.