Polling at Elections.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 4 December 1890, Page 2

Polling at Elections.

Owing to '• The Electoral Acts Amendment " of last session having extended the time for taking the poll in certain cities and boroughs, a misapprehension as to the hour the poll will close in this district has existed. We therefore at once state that the amended Act in no way interferes with the time of closing the polls in the Pnlmerston electoral district, and the clauses relating to polling in " The Regulation of Elections Act, lttNl " will be followed. These provide that the poll shall commence at nine o'clock in the forenoon and shall close at six o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. The Returning Officer has to provide one or more compartments for polling booths, and in each booth one or more inner compartments, separated from, but opening into the booth. In each booth one or more ballot boxes having a lock and key and a slit in the upper side by which the voting papers may be put into tlu> box. A sufficient number of voting papers, and in each inner compartment pencils for the use of the voters. Each candidate may, by writing under his hand, appoint one scrutineer for each ballot-box used in the booth. Each scrutineer must make a declaration before the Returning or Deputy - Returning Officer. The Returning Officer shall immediately before the opening of the poll, and in sight of any of the r scrutineers who may be present, see that the ballot box is empty, and shall close and lock it and retain the key in his possession. The ballot box shall noi again be opened until after the close of the poll.