SCHEDULE 3 - Printing and collation of ballot papers

Sections 97 and 98

1.    Interpretation

In this Schedule, unless the contrary intention appears –

column , in relation to a ballot paper, means a column of candidates' names printed on the ballot paper in accordance with section 97 or 98 ;

favoured position , in relation to a column of a ballot paper, means (reading from the top of the column) –

(a) if the names of 2 candidates are to appear in the column – the first position in the column; and

(b) if the names of 3 candidates are to appear in the column – the first and third positions in the column; and

(c) if the names of 4 candidates are to appear in the column – the first and fourth positions in the column; and

(d) if the names of 5 candidates are to appear in the column – the first, third and fifth positions in the column; and

(e) if the names of 6 candidates are to appear in the column – the first, second, fifth and sixth positions in the column; and

(f) if the names of 7 candidates are to appear in the column – the first, second, sixth and seventh positions in the column; and

(g) if the names of 8 candidates are to appear in the column – the first, second, seventh and eighth positions in the column; and

(h) if the names of 9 candidates are to appear in the column – the first, second, eighth and ninth positions in the column; and

(i) if the names of 10 or more candidates are to appear in the column – the first, second, third and last 3 positions in the column.

2.    Ballot papers to be printed in equal batches

In relation to each candidate whose name is required to be included in the column or, as the case may be, one of the columns of a ballot paper in accordance with section 97 or 98  –

(a) there is to be printed, in respect of each of the favoured positions for that column, a batch of ballot papers on which the name of that candidate appears in such a favoured position; and

(b) the number of ballot papers in each batch on which the name of that candidate appears in that column in a particular favoured position is, as far as is practicable, to be equal to the number of ballot papers in each of the other batches of ballot papers on which the name of every other candidate whose name is to be included in that column appears in that favoured position.

3.    Order of names of candidates on first batch

For the printing of the first batch of ballot papers, the names of the candidates in the column or, as the case may be, in each of the columns are to be listed in the order determined under section 89(2)(a) .

4.    Order for subsequent batches

Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the printing order for subsequent batches is to be as prescribed by the regulations.

5.    Sequence of names of candidates

If 6 or more names are to be included in a column, the name of a candidate is not to appear immediately above the name of a particular other candidate on more than one batch of ballot papers if the names of both candidates would be in favoured positions in that column.

6.    Collation of ballot papers

Before ballot papers for an election in respect of an electoral division are distributed to returning officers, the Commissioner is to, as far as is practicable, ensure that each issue of ballot papers is collated in such a way that the ballot paper immediately following another ballot paper in the issue is in a form different from that of the other ballot paper.

7.    Issuing of ballot papers

When issuing ballot papers, an election official is to, as far as is practicable, issue an elector with a ballot paper in a different form from the previous ballot paper he or she issued.