(1) The Electoral
Commissioner may appoint assistant returning officers for the purpose of
counting, under the direction of the Electoral Commissioner, votes cast at
general polling places, early and absent votes and provisional votes cast
under section 119(4a), 122(2), or 122A.
(2) Each such
assistant returning officer shall certify in writing addressed to the
returning officer of the district concerned, the number of votes or first
preference votes, as the case may be, given for each candidate on the ballot
papers used for voting at general polling places, early and absent
voters’ ballot papers and ballot papers used for provisional voting
under section 119(4a), 122(2), or 122A counted by him.
(3) Any such assistant
returning officer may communicate to the returning officer of the district
concerned, the number of votes or first preference votes, as the case may be,
given for each candidate on the ballot papers used for voting at general
polling places, early and absent voters’ ballot papers and ballot papers
used for provisional voting under section 119(4a), 122(2) or 122A counted by
him, and the returning officer in ascertaining the result of the poll may act
upon the information so received.
(4) Each such
assistant returning officer shall, as soon as possible after completing the
count of the votes on such ballot papers used for voting at general polling
places, early and absent voters’ ballot papers and ballot papers used
for provisional voting under section 119(4a), 122(2), or 122A, transmit the
same in the prescribed manner to the returning officer of the district
concerned.
[Section 142A inserted: No. 63 of 1948 s. 21;
amended: No. 58 of 1951 s. 18; No. 57 of 1952 s. 11; No. 40 of 1987 s. 69 and
84; No. 79 of 1987 s. 63; No. 36 of 2000 s. 48(1), 52 and 68.]