ELECTION PROCEDURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 654, 4 May 1929, Page 13

ELECTION PROCEDURE

HARBOUR BOARD SEAT

LOOSE METHODS ALLEGED Dees the conduct of local body elections, particularly in the country districts, require official supervision and control? After their experience on Wednesday, electors in Manukau and Franklin are asking this question. There exists a certain amount of dissatisfaction about the way in which the Harbour Board membership election was carried out in those areas. The validity of the ballot papers has bogn challenged on the grounds that they were improperly prepared. The specimen ballot paper embodied in the Act includes at the top the name of the election, followed by the number of persons to be elected. Then follows the surnames and Christian names of the candidates, with directions at the bottom of the sheet as to the manner of voting. MISUNDERSTANDING The papers issued at the 60 odd booths throughout the ManukauFranklin district contained only the surnames of the candidates, Messrs* H. R. Mackenzie and E. Allan, directions to voters and a line at the foot of the sheet, “Borough of Pukekche.” The inclusion of that final line is said to have caused misunderstanding in many cases, and it is alleged that a considerable number of voters, unfamiliar with the names of the candidates and the circumstances of the Harbour Board contest, threw their papers away with the remark: “I am not concerned with an election for the Borough of Pukekohe.” It is contended, further, that more than one person was misled by the names “Allan” and “Mackenzie,” construing the titles into the name of one man, “Allan Mackenzie,” whom they were unable to identify. MR. ALLAN'S ATTITUDE It is understood that Mr. Allan intends to take no action, but many electors consider that a protest should be lodged. In addition to the ambiguous nature of the ballot papers, it is stated that many of the booths were loosely prepared, and that the secrecy of the ballot was not observed as it should have been.

It appears that there is no Government control or inspection of local body elections, and it is nobody’s business to see that the methods adopted are in accordance with the law.