ELECTION PETITIONS BILL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1765, 16 October 1879, Page 2

ELECTION PETITIONS BILL.

[By Telegraph.] The Election Petitions Bill contains thirtyone clauses. Petitions complaining of the undue election of a member of the House of Representatives may be forwarded by an elector, or candidate who had a right to be returned or elected, or some person who alleges himself to have been a candidate, to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The petition is to allege the specific grounds of the complaint. The petition is to be presented within twenty-eight days after the day on

which the result of the election was declared, or the day on which the corruption is alleged to have been committed. Security is to be given to the returning officer for oasts and expenses of witnesses, and of the persons petioned against to the amount of £2OO under bond to the Queen, by not exceeding three sureties. The trial of the petition is to be before one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and is to take place in the district where the petition has arisen or some adjacent place. Fourteen days’ notice of the time and place is to be given. The Judge is to certify his determination to the Speaker, and in case of corrupt practice the names of the guilty persons are to be given. The House will confirm or alter the decision of the Judge, and decide as to the writs for a new election. The trial of an election petition may be proceed with notwithstanding the prorogation of Parliament. Two or more candidates may be made respondents to the same petition. ‘Witnesses will not be exempt from onswering on the ground of criminating themselves, but a judge’s certificate may be given to stay proceedings against such witnesses. Where a petitioner refuses to pay the expenses of witnesses or to respondent any sum ordered by the Court to be paid, his recognisances will he estreated. Returning Offio.rs may be made respondents to petitions whore their conduct is complained of. Candidates when made respondents may adduce evidence to show that the election of petitioner was invalid.