ELECTION OFFENCES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 291, 7 December 1914, Page 4

ELECTION OFFENCES.

For the sake of giving information and to help our friends, and if possil le to save the electors of tlin ciiftiict from unwarily stepping into trouble/we draw attention to settion 157

of tiio Legislature Act, 1008, which wlinos offences at elections us follows: "Every person is hable to a fine of twenty pounds who at an election (a) In any way interferes with any elector either in the polling booth or while on his thereto, with the intention of influencing him or advising him as to his vote or (b) prints or distributes or delivers to any i>ersoii on the day of the poll, or at any time during the three days immediately preceding the poll anything being or purporting to be in imitation of any: ballot-paper to be used at the poll and having thereon the names of the candidates together with any direction or indication as to how any person should vote, or in any way containing any such direction or indication, or having thereon any matter likely to influence any vote or (c) during the hours in which the poll is being taken makes any public demonstration having reference to the poll by means of living figures, effigies, paintings, placards or other like means." We understand that the Stratford Returning Officer (Mr W. J. Reeve) is of opinion that the setting up of tables outside the booths for the purpose of marking off voters on the roll by the respective sides, either in the interests of the candidates or those who are acting similarly on the Licensing question, is an impropriety under this clause, coming under the heading of interference with electors on their way to the polling boot!', and accordingly he does not propose to permit such tables to be set up.