H.—39

8

(2.) The Deputy Returning Officer shall then, m the presence of such of the scrutineers as choose to be present (including those appointed under section nineteen of the Licensing Act, 1908), and the poll-clerks (if any), but of no other person, open the ballot-box, and, taking therefrom all the ballot-papers therein, shall set aside all informal ballot-papers, and ascertain, in respect of each candidate, the number of ballot-papers which are marked with the figure 1 opposite his name, or which in any other manner indicate the desire of the elector that that candidate should be elected. (3.) The number so ascertained in respect of each candidate shall be deemed to be the number of first-preference votes recorded for that candidate. 33. (1.) A ballot-paper is informal— (a.) If there is reasonable cause to believe that it was not issued to a voter by the Deputy Returning Officer ; or (b.) If it has upon it any mark or writing by which the voter can be identified ; or (c.) If it has no vote indicated on it; or (_.;) If it has the figure 1 opposite the names of more than one candidate; or (c.) If it does not clearly indicate a candidate or candidates whom the elector desires to be elected. (2.) A ballot-paper shall not be rejected as informal on any ground other than those stated, in the last preceding subsection. (3.) In particular, a ballot-paper shall not be informal by reason only— (a.) That a figure (not being the figure 1) has been placed opposite the names of more than one candidate ; but the votes indicated by that figure or any higher figure shall not be effectual; or (b.) That a figure (not being the figure 1) has been omitted in the numerical sequence of the order of the voter's preference ; but the votes indicated by any higher figure than the figure so omitted shall not be effectual; or (c.) That the voter has not placed any figures in the squares opposite the names of the candidates, but has indicated his preference by placing a cross in the square opposite the name of any one candidate. Tn any such case he shall be deemed to have indicated his first preference for the candidate opposite whose name he has placed such cross ; or (_..) That the voter has struck out the name or names of all candidates save one, and in that case he shall be deemed to have indicated his first preference for the candidate whose name has not been struck out. 34. Immediately after ascertaining the number of first-preference votes recorded for each candidate the Deputy Returning Officer shall announce the result at the polling-booth at which he presides ; and shall transmit the result by telegraph or other expeditious means to the Assistant Returning Officer of the electoral subdivision, who, on receipt of all such returns, shall ascertain therefrom the total number of first-preference votes received by each candidate within the electoral subdivision and transmit the result by telegraph or other expeditious means to the Returning Officer of the electoral division. 35. (1.) I'he Deputy Returning Officer shall then forthwith make up into separate parcels, — (a.) The used ballot-papers, together with (but in a separate enclosure) the ballot-papers set aside as informal under section thirty-two hereof; (b.) The ballot-papers set aside under section one hundred and thirty-two of the principal Act";

Number of firstpreference votes counted.

Informal votes.

Result of voting to be announced.

Deputies to make up books and papers in parcels.