Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Repeal [see Note 2] ............................................................................ 1

4............ Interpretation ...................................................................................... 2

4A......... Extraterritorial operation of Act ......................................................... 9

4B......... Act to bind Crown .............................................................................. 9

4C......... Registered officer of political party .................................................... 9

4D......... Application of the Criminal Code .................................................... 10

Part II--Administration                                                                                                      11

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                             11

5............ Interpretation .................................................................................... 11

5A......... Application of Part in relation to Northern Territory ...................... 12

Division 2--The Australian Electoral Commission                                     13

6............ Establishment of Commission .......................................................... 13

7............ Functions and Powers of Commission ............................................. 13

7A......... Supply of goods and services ........................................................... 14

7B......... Fees for goods and services .............................................................. 16

8............ Tenure and terms of office ................................................................ 16

9............ Leave of absence ............................................................................... 17

10.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 17

11.......... Disclosure of interests ...................................................................... 17

12.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 17

13.......... Acting Chairperson ........................................................................... 17

14.......... Acting non‑judicial appointee ........................................................... 18

14A....... Remuneration .................................................................................... 19

15.......... Meetings of Commission .................................................................. 20

16.......... Delegation by Commission ............................................................... 21

17.......... Reports by the Commission ............................................................. 21

17A....... Certain particulars not to be included in reports .............................. 22

Division 3--Electoral Commissioner, Deputy Electoral Commissioner and Australian Electoral Officers for States                                                                                                  24

18.......... Electoral Commissioner .................................................................... 24

19.......... Deputy Electoral Commissioner ...................................................... 24

20.......... Australian Electoral Officers for States ............................................ 25

21.......... Terms and conditions of appointment etc. ....................................... 25

22.......... Remuneration .................................................................................... 25

23.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 26

24.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 26

25.......... Termination of appointment ............................................................ 26

26.......... Acting Electoral Commissioner ........................................................ 27

27.......... Acting Deputy Electoral Commissioner ........................................... 28

28.......... Delegation by Electoral Commissioner ............................................. 29

Division 4--Staff of the Commission                                                                   30

29.......... Staff .................................................................................................. 30

30.......... Australian Electoral Officer for the Australian Capital Territory .... 30

31.......... Assistant Australian Electoral Officers for States ............................ 31

32.......... Divisional Returning Officers ........................................................... 31

33.......... Assistant Returning Officers ............................................................ 32

34.......... Assistant Divisional Returning Officers ........................................... 32

35.......... Employment of additional staff, consultants etc. ............................. 32

Division 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                       34

36.......... Candidates not to be officers ............................................................ 34

37.......... Keeping of forms .............................................................................. 34

38.......... Offices of Divisional Returning Officers .......................................... 34

Part III--Representation in the Parliament                                                           35

Division 1AA--Interpretation                                                                                35

38A....... Interpretation .................................................................................... 35

Division 1--Choosing of senators for Queensland                                      36

39.......... Senators to be directly chosen by people of State etc. ..................... 36

Division 2--Representation of the Territories in the Senate                37

40.......... Representation of the Territories in the Senate ................................ 37

41.......... Powers, privileges and immunities of senator for Territory ............. 38

42.......... Term of service of senator for Territory .......................................... 38

43.......... Time of elections of senators for Territories .................................... 38

44.......... Casual vacancies in places of senators for Territories ...................... 38

Division 3--Representation of the States and Territories in the House of Representatives    41

45.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 41

46.......... Ascertainment of numbers of people of Commonwealth, States and Territories     41

47.......... Supply of statistical information by Australian Statistician ............ 42

48.......... Determination of number of members of House of Representatives to be chosen in States and Territories           43

48A....... Northern Territory to elect 2 members of the House of Representatives in the next election                 47

49.......... Notification of determination ........................................................... 47

50.......... Number of members of House of Representatives to be chosen in States and Territories       48

51.......... Choice of member for Territory ....................................................... 49

53.......... Powers, privileges and immunities of member for Territory ............ 49

54.......... Time of elections of members for Territories ................................... 49

Part IV--Electoral Divisions                                                                                           50

55.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 50

55A....... Application to Northern Territory ................................................... 50

56.......... States and Australian Capital Territory to be distributed into Electoral Divisions 51

56A....... Certain Territories to be included in same Division ......................... 51

57.......... One member to be chosen for each Electoral Division ..................... 51

58.......... Monthly ascertainment of enrolment etc. ........................................ 51

59.......... Times at which redistributions are to commence ............................. 52

60.......... Redistribution Committee ................................................................ 55

62.......... Proceedings at meetings of Redistribution Committee etc. .............. 58

63.......... Sub‑committees ................................................................................ 59

63A....... Projection time for equality of enrolments ....................................... 59

64.......... Suggestions and comments relating to redistribution ........................ 60

65.......... Quota ................................................................................................ 61

66.......... Redistribution Committee to make proposed redistribution ............ 61

67.......... Reasons for proposed redistribution ................................................ 62

67A....... Outline of proposed redistribution ................................................... 62

68.......... Notice of proposed redistribution .................................................... 63

69.......... Objections against proposed redistribution ...................................... 64

70.......... Augmented Electoral Commission .................................................... 65

71.......... Proceedings at meetings of augmented Electoral Commission etc. ... 66

72.......... Consideration of objections .............................................................. 67

73.......... Redistribution of State or Australian Capital Territory ................... 69

74.......... Reasons for determination made by augmented Electoral Commission .. 71

75.......... Copies of certain documents to be forwarded to Minister ............... 72

76.......... Mini‑redistribution ........................................................................... 72

76A....... Application of section 76 to Northern Territory ............................. 77

77.......... Decisions under Part final etc. .......................................................... 78

78.......... Improper influence ........................................................................... 79

Part V--Subdivisions and polling places                                                                   80

79.......... Subdivisions ...................................................................................... 80

80.......... Polling places .................................................................................... 80

Part VI--Electoral Rolls                                                                                                    82

81.......... Electoral Rolls ................................................................................... 82

82.......... Subdivision Rolls, Division Rolls and State and Territory Rolls ..... 82

83.......... Form of Rolls .................................................................................... 82

84.......... Arrangement with States .................................................................. 82

85.......... New Rolls to be prepared upon Proclamation ................................. 83

86.......... New Rolls on creation of new Divisions etc. ................................... 83

87.......... Additions etc. to new Rolls .............................................................. 85

88.......... Objections and notices to have effect in relation to new Rolls ......... 85

89.......... Printing of Rolls ................................................................................ 85

90.......... Commission to determine manner and form of access to Rolls etc. . 85

90A....... Inspection etc. of Rolls ..................................................................... 86

90B....... Information on Rolls and certified lists of voters to be provided to particular people and organisations                87

91A....... Use of information from Roll and habitation index .......................... 97

91B....... Prohibition of disclosure or commercial use of Roll or habitation index   99

92.......... Roll reviews ...................................................................................... 99

Part VII--Qualifications and disqualifications for enrolment and for voting             101

93.......... Persons entitled to enrolment and to vote [see Note 3] ................. 101

93A....... Power to refuse to include in the Roll inappropriate names .......... 103

94.......... Enrolled voters leaving Australia .................................................... 103

94A....... Enrolment from outside Australia .................................................. 108

95.......... Eligibility of spouse or child of eligible overseas elector [see Note 4] 110

95AA.... Norfolk Island electors ................................................................... 115

95AB.... Presumption about certain Norfolk Island electors ........................ 117

95AC.... Rolls relating to Norfolk Island electors ......................................... 117

96.......... Itinerant electors ............................................................................. 117

96A....... Enrolment of prisoners ................................................................... 121

97.......... Application of Part ......................................................................... 121

Part VIII--Enrolment                                                                                                        123

98AA.... Regulations ..................................................................................... 123

98.......... Addition of names to Rolls ............................................................. 123

98A....... Refusal to include in the Roll inappropriate names ........................ 124

99.......... Claims for enrolment or transfer of enrolment ............................... 125

99A....... Provisional claim for enrolment by applicant for citizenship ........ 126

99B....... Provisional enrolment by applicant for citizenship ....................... 128

100........ Claims for age 17 enrolment ........................................................... 130

101........ Compulsory enrolment and transfer ............................................... 130

102........ Action on receipt of claim .............................................................. 132

103........ Penalty on officer neglecting to enrol claimants ............................. 136

104........ Request for address not to be shown on Roll ................................. 136

105........ Alteration of Rolls .......................................................................... 138

106........ Incorrect enrolment ......................................................................... 139

107........ Alterations to be initialled .............................................................. 140

108........ Lists of deaths to be forwarded ...................................................... 140

109........ Lists of convictions to be forwarded .............................................. 140

110........ Officers to act on receipt of information ........................................ 141

111........ Computer records relating to Roll .................................................. 141

111A..... Claims may be sent by fax .............................................................. 142

112........ Application of Part ......................................................................... 142

Part IX--Objections                                                                                                           144

113........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 144

114........ Objection to enrolment ................................................................... 144

115........ Form and manner of objection ........................................................ 145

116........ Notice of objection ......................................................................... 146

117........ Answer to objection ....................................................................... 146

118........ Determination of objection ............................................................. 147

Part X--Review of decisions                                                                                         149

120........ Review by Australian Electoral Officer .......................................... 149

121........ Review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal ................................ 152

122........ Application of Part ......................................................................... 152

Part XI--Registration of political parties                                                              154

123........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 154

124........ Registration of political parties ...................................................... 155

125........ Register of Political Parties ............................................................. 155

126........ Application for registration ............................................................ 155

127........ Party not to be registered during election ....................................... 156

129........ Parties with certain names not to be registered .............................. 157

130........ Different levels of party may be registered .................................... 158

131........ Variation of application .................................................................. 158

132........ Procedure for dealing with application ........................................... 159

132A..... Commission to give reasons for decisions under this Part ............. 160

133........ Registration ..................................................................................... 160

134........ Changes to Register ........................................................................ 161

134A..... Objection to continued use of name ............................................... 164

135........ Voluntary deregistration ................................................................. 165

136........ Deregistration of party failing to endorse candidates or ceasing to be a Parliamentary party 166

137........ Deregistration of political party on other grounds ......................... 167

138........ Deregistration ................................................................................. 168

138A..... Review of eligibility of parties to remain in the Register ............... 168

139........ Inspection of Register ..................................................................... 169

140........ Service of documents ...................................................................... 169

141........ Review of certain decisions ............................................................ 170

Part XIII--Writs for elections                                                                                      173

151........ Issue of writs for election of Senators for Territories .................... 173

152........ Forms of writs [see Note 5] ........................................................... 173

153........ Writs for election of Senators ......................................................... 173

154........ Writs for election of members of House of Representatives .......... 174

155........ Date for close of Rolls .................................................................... 175

156........ Date of nomination ......................................................................... 176

157........ Date of polling ................................................................................ 176

158........ Polling to be on a Saturday ............................................................. 176

159........ Date of return of writ ..................................................................... 176

160........ General election to be held on same day ......................................... 176

161........ Application of Part ......................................................................... 176

Part XIV--The nominations                                                                                           177

162........ Candidates must be nominated ....................................................... 177

163........ Qualifications for nomination [see Note 6] .................................... 177

164........ State and Territory members not entitled to be nominated ............ 177

165........ Multiple nominations prohibited ................................................... 178

166........ Mode of nomination ....................................................................... 178

167........ To whom nominations made .......................................................... 181

168........ Grouping of candidates ................................................................... 182

169........ Notification of party endorsement ................................................. 182

169A..... Notification of independent candidacy ........................................... 183

169B..... Verification of party endorsement .................................................. 183

169C..... Combination of requests and nominations ..................................... 184

170........ Requisites for nomination ............................................................... 184

171........ Form of consent to act .................................................................... 186

172........ Rejection of nominations and requests ........................................... 186

173........ Deposit to be forfeited in certain cases .......................................... 186

174........ Place of nomination ........................................................................ 187

175........ Hour of nomination ........................................................................ 187

176........ Declaration of nominations ............................................................. 187

177........ Withdrawal of consent to a nomination .......................................... 189

178........ Return of deposit in case of candidate's death ............................... 190

179........ Proceedings on nomination day ...................................................... 190

180........ Death of candidate after nomination ............................................... 191

181........ Failure of election ........................................................................... 191

Part XV--Postal voting                                                                                                     193

182........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 193

183........ Grounds of application for postal vote .......................................... 193

184........ Application for postal vote ............................................................ 193

184A..... Application for registration as general postal voter ....................... 194

184AA.. Application forms for postal votes ................................................ 196

184B..... Register of General Postal Voters ................................................... 196

185........ Registration as general postal voter ................................................ 196

185B..... Review of Registers ........................................................................ 198

185C..... Cancellation of registration ............................................................. 198

186........ Dispatch of postal voting papers to registered general postal voters 199

187........ Duty of witness .............................................................................. 199

188........ Issue of certificate and ballot‑papers .............................................. 200

189........ Inspection of applications .............................................................. 201

189A..... Access to electronic list of postal vote applicants ......................... 202

189B..... Restriction on use or disclosure of information .............................. 203

190........ Numbering of applications and certificates .................................... 204

192........ Form of postal vote certificate ....................................................... 205

193........ Authorised witnesses ..................................................................... 205

194........ Postal voting ................................................................................... 205

195........ Duty of authorised witnesses etc. .................................................. 207

195A..... Procedure for dealing with postal vote certificates etc. .................. 208

196........ Opening of postal ballot‑paper ...................................................... 210

197........ Failure to post or deliver postal vote application etc. .................... 210

198........ Inducing elector to hand over marked ballot‑paper ........................ 211

199........ Correction of formal errors ............................................................. 211

200........ Mistakes ......................................................................................... 211

Part XVA--Pre‑poll voting                                                                                             212

200A..... Grounds of application for pre‑poll vote ....................................... 212

200B..... Pre‑poll voting officers ................................................................... 212

200BA.. Pre‑poll voting offices .................................................................... 212

200C..... Application for pre‑poll vote ......................................................... 213

200D..... Place and time of application .......................................................... 214

200DA.. Scrutineers at the pre‑poll voting office ......................................... 215

200DB.. Provisions relating to scrutineers at pre‑poll voting office ............. 215

200E...... Pre‑poll voting ................................................................................ 216

200F...... Form of pre‑poll vote certificate .................................................... 217

200G..... Record of issue of pre‑poll voting papers ...................................... 217

200J...... Opening of pre‑poll voting envelope .............................................. 218

200K..... Obligations of persons present when pre‑poll vote cast ................ 218

201........ Correction of formal errors ............................................................. 219

202........ Mistakes ......................................................................................... 219

Part XVB--Trials of electronic voting methods                                                 220

Division 1--Trial of electronically assisted voting for sight‑impaired people     220

202AA.. Definitions ...................................................................................... 220

202AB.. Regulations may provide for voting by an electronically assisted voting method    220

202AC.. There must be a record of who has voted using the electronically assisted voting method      221

202AD.. There must be a printed record of the vote .................................... 222

202AE... How this Act applies in relation to voting using the electronically assisted voting method    222

202AF... Minister may decide that electronically assisted voting trial is not to proceed        223

Division 2--Trial of remote electronic voting for defence personnel serving outside Australia             224

202AG.. Definitions ...................................................................................... 224

202AH.. Regulations may provide for remote electronic voting by defence personnel serving outside Australia 224

202AI.... Regulations must provide for registration of remote electronic voters 225

202AJ... There must be a record of who has voted using the remote electronic voting method             226

202AK.. Transmission of electronic votes to the Electoral Commission and scrutiny of votes             226

202AL... How this Act applies in relation to voting using the remote electronic voting method            227

202AM. Minister may decide that remote electronic voting trial is not to proceed               227

Part XVI--The polling                                                                                                       228

202A..... Undertaking by officers and scrutineers ......................................... 228

203........ Arrangements for polling ................................................................ 229

204........ Substitute ........................................................................................ 230

205........ Use of licensed premises as polling booth ...................................... 230

206........ Separate voting compartments ....................................................... 230

207........ Ballot‑boxes .................................................................................... 230

208........ Certified lists of voters ................................................................... 231

209........ Ballot‑papers .................................................................................. 231

209A..... Official mark ................................................................................... 232

210........ Printing of Senate ballot‑papers ..................................................... 233

210A..... Form of party name on ballot‑papers ............................................ 234

211........ Group voting tickets ....................................................................... 234

211A..... Individual voting tickets ................................................................. 236

212........ Ballot‑papers for House of Representatives elections ................... 238

213........ Determination of order of names .................................................... 239

214........ Printing of political party names etc. on ballot‑papers .................. 241

215........ Ballot‑papers to be initialled .......................................................... 242

216........ Group voting tickets to be displayed ............................................. 242

217........ Scrutineers at the polling ................................................................ 242

218........ Provisions relating to scrutineers .................................................... 243

219........ Participation by candidates in conduct of election ......................... 243

220........ The polling ...................................................................................... 244

221........ Elections at which electors entitled to vote .................................... 244

222........ Where electors may vote ................................................................ 245

223........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 245

224........ Mobile booths--hospitals that are polling places .......................... 246

225........ Mobile booths--other hospitals .................................................... 246

226........ Provisions related to sections 224 and 225 .................................... 248

226A..... Mobile booths--prisons ................................................................ 250

227........ Mobile booths--Remote Divisions ................................................ 251

228........ Forwarding of declaration votes ..................................................... 254

229........ Questions to be put to voter .......................................................... 257

230........ Errors not to forfeit vote ................................................................ 258

231........ Right of elector to receive ballot‑paper .......................................... 258

232........ Voters to be recorded ...................................................................... 258

233........ Vote to be marked in private .......................................................... 259

234........ Assistance to certain voters ............................................................ 259

234A..... Certain voters may vote outside polling place ............................... 260

235........ Provisional votes ............................................................................ 261

238........ Spoilt ballot‑papers ........................................................................ 263

239........ Marking of votes in Senate election ................................................ 264

240........ Marking of votes in House of Representatives election ................. 265

240A..... Temporary suspension of polling .................................................. 265

241........ Adjournment of polling .................................................................. 265

242........ Adjournment in other cases ............................................................ 266

243........ Voting at adjourned polling ............................................................. 266

244........ Arrangement where elections held in some Divisions only ............ 266

245........ Compulsory voting ......................................................................... 266

Part XVII--Special provisions relating to the polling in Antarctica       271

246........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 271

247........ Antarctic Returning Officers and Assistant Antarctic Returning Officers               272

248........ Application of Part XVI to polling in Antarctica ........................... 272

249........ Antarctic electors ............................................................................ 273

250........ Arrangements for the polling in Antarctica .................................... 274

251........ Ballot‑papers to be initialled .......................................................... 275

252........ Candidates not to take part in polling ............................................ 275

253........ The polling in Antarctica ................................................................ 275

254........ Entitlement of Antarctic electors to vote ....................................... 275

255........ Questions to be put to voter at Antarctic station .......................... 275

256........ Right of Antarctic elector to receive ballot‑paper .......................... 276

257........ List of Antarctic electors to be marked .......................................... 276

258........ Application of sections 233 and 234 .............................................. 276

259........ Proceedings by Antarctic Returning Officer on close of poll ......... 276

260........ Result of the polling in Antarctica .................................................. 277

261........ Preservation of ballot‑papers etc. ................................................... 278

262........ Application of Part ......................................................................... 278

Part XVIII--The scrutiny                                                                                                279

263........ Scrutiny .......................................................................................... 279

264........ Scrutineers at scrutiny .................................................................... 279

265........ Scrutiny, how conducted ................................................................ 279

266........ Preliminary scrutiny of declaration votes ....................................... 280

267........ Action on objections to ballot‑papers ............................................ 281

268........ Informal ballot‑papers .................................................................... 281

269........ Formal votes according to group voting ticket ............................... 282

270........ Certain votes with non‑consecutive numbers to be formal ............ 283

271........ Officers not to mark ballot‑papers so that voter can be identified . 284

272........ Senate ballot‑papers deemed to be marked according to group voting tickets          284

273........ Scrutiny of votes in Senate elections .............................................. 287

273A..... Computerised scrutiny of votes in Senate election ........................ 298

273B..... Combination of manual and computer scrutiny permitted ............. 300

274........ Scrutiny of votes in House of Representatives elections ............... 301

275........ Scrutiny prior to receipt of declaration ballot‑papers .................... 306

276........ Provisional scrutiny ........................................................................ 306

277........ Scrutiny for information ................................................................. 306

278........ Re‑count at Senate elections ........................................................... 307

279........ Re‑count at House of Representatives elections ............................ 307

279A..... Notice of re‑count ........................................................................... 307

279B..... Conduct of re‑count ........................................................................ 307

280........ Powers of officer conducting re‑count ............................................ 309

281........ Reservation of disputed ballot‑papers ........................................... 309

282........ Re‑count of Senate votes to determine order of election in other circumstances      310

Part XIX--The return of the writs                                                                              311

283........ Return of writ for election of Senators ........................................... 311

284........ Declaration of poll and return of writs for House of Representatives 311

285........ Correction of errors ........................................................................ 312

286........ Extension of time ............................................................................ 313

Part XX--Election funding and financial disclosure                                         314

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           314

287........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 314

287A..... Campaign committee to be treated as part of State branch of party 318

287B..... Designated federal party ................................................................. 319

Division 2--Agents                                                                                                     320

288........ Agents of political parties .............................................................. 320

288A..... Principal agents ............................................................................... 320

289........ Appointment of agents by candidates and groups ......................... 320

290........ Requisites for appointment ............................................................ 321

291........ Register of Party Agents ................................................................ 322

292........ Effect of registration etc. ................................................................ 322

292A..... Evidence of appointment ................................................................ 323

292B..... Responsibility for action when agent of party or branch dead or appointment vacant           323

292C..... Revocation of appointment of agent of candidate or group ........... 323

292D..... Notice of death or resignation of agent of candidate or group ........ 324

Division 3--Election funding                                                                                 325

294........ General entitlement to funds .......................................................... 325

297........ Payment not to be made in certain circumstances .......................... 325

299........ Making of payments ...................................................................... 325

299A..... Method of making payments ......................................................... 332

300........ Death of candidate .......................................................................... 334

301........ Death of member of group .............................................................. 334

302........ Appropriation ................................................................................ 335

Division 4--Disclosure of donations                                                                 336

303........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 336

304........ Disclosure of gifts ........................................................................... 336

305A..... Gifts to candidates etc. ................................................................... 338

305B..... Gifts to political parties ................................................................. 340

306........ Certain gifts not to be received ....................................................... 342

306A..... Certain loans not to be received ...................................................... 344

306B..... Repayment of gifts where corporations wound up etc. ................. 346

307........ Nil returns ....................................................................................... 347

Division 5--Disclosure of electoral expenditure                                        348

308........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 348

309........ Returns of electoral expenditure ..................................................... 349

311A..... Annual returns of income and expenditure of Commonwealth Departments           349

313........ Nil returns ....................................................................................... 350

314........ Two or more elections on the same day ......................................... 351

Division 5A--Annual returns by registered political parties and other persons               352

314AA.. Interpretation .................................................................................. 352

314AB.. Annual returns by registered political parties ................................ 352

314AC.. Amounts received ........................................................................... 352

314AE... Outstanding amounts ...................................................................... 353

314AEA Annual returns by associated entities ............................................. 354

314AEB Annual returns relating to political expenditure ............................. 355

314AEC Annual returns relating to gifts received for political expenditure .. 356

314AF... Returns not to include lists of party membership .......................... 357

314AG.. Regulations ..................................................................................... 357

Division 6--Miscellaneous                                                                                     358

314A..... Interpretation .................................................................................. 358

315........ Offences .......................................................................................... 358

315A..... Recovery of payments ................................................................... 360

316........ Investigation etc. ............................................................................. 360

317........ Records to be kept .......................................................................... 365

318........ Inability to complete returns .......................................................... 366

319........ Non‑compliance with Part does not affect election ........................ 367

319A..... Amendment of claims and returns .................................................. 368

320........ Inspection and supply of copies of claims and returns .................. 369

321........ Indexation ....................................................................................... 370

321A..... Indexation of amounts .................................................................... 371

Part XXI--Electoral offences                                                                                       373

322........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 373

323........ Officers and scrutineers to observe secrecy ................................... 373

324........ Officers not to contravene Act etc. ................................................ 373

325........ Officers not to influence vote ......................................................... 373

325A..... Influencing votes of hospital patients etc. ...................................... 374

326........ Bribery ............................................................................................ 374

327........ Interference with political liberty etc. ............................................ 375

328........ Printing and publication of electoral advertisements, notices etc. .. 376

328A..... Publication of electoral advertisements on the Internet .................. 378

329........ Misleading or deceptive publications etc. ...................................... 379

330........ False statements in relation to Rolls ............................................... 379

331........ Heading to electoral advertisements ............................................... 380

334........ Depiction etc. of certain electoral matter ........................................ 380

335........ Cards in polling booth .................................................................... 381

336........ Signature to electoral paper ............................................................ 381

337........ Witnessing electoral papers ............................................................ 382

338........ Unlawfully marking ballot‑papers .................................................. 382

339........ Other offences relating to ballot‑papers etc. .................................. 383

340........ Prohibition of canvassing near polling booths ................................ 384

341........ Badges or emblems in polling booths ............................................. 385

342........ Duty of witness to claim ................................................................ 386

343........ Failure to transmit claim ................................................................. 386

345........ Employers to allow employees leave of absence to vote ............... 386

346........ Protection of the official mark ........................................................ 387

347........ Disorderly behaviour at meeting ..................................................... 387

348........ Control of behaviour at polling booths etc. .................................... 388

351........ Publication of matter regarding candidates ..................................... 389

Part XXII--Court of Disputed Returns                                                                  392

Division 1--Disputed Elections and Returns                                               392

352........ Interpretation .................................................................................. 392

353........ Method of disputing elections ........................................................ 392

354........ The Court of Disputed Returns ..................................................... 393

355........ Requisites of petition ..................................................................... 394

356........ Deposit as security for costs .......................................................... 395

357........ Petition by Electoral Commission .................................................. 395

358........ No proceedings unless requirements complied with ...................... 395

359........ Right of Electoral Commissioner to be represented ....................... 395

360........ Powers of Court ............................................................................. 396

361........ Inquiries by Court .......................................................................... 397

362........ Voiding election for illegal practices etc. ......................................... 397

363........ Court to report cases of illegal practices ........................................ 398

363A..... Court must make its decision quickly ............................................ 398

364........ Real justice to be observed ............................................................. 398

364A..... Provision for Court to have regard to certain rejected ballot‑papers 398