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Local Electoral Act 2001

Conduct of elections and polls - Voting, processing, and counting of votes

74: Electoral officer to maintain security and secrecy at election or poll

You could also call this:

"Electoral officers keep your vote safe and private"

Illustration for Local Electoral Act 2001

You need to know that the electoral officer has a big job. They must keep voting documents and records safe and secure. They must also make sure these documents are handled correctly. You should feel confident that your vote is private. The electoral officer and other officials must not tell anyone who you voted for unless it is necessary for the count or allowed by law. The electoral officer must also make sure that votes are counted and checked in a way that is fair and can be reviewed if needed.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM94384.

Topics:
Government and voting > Elections
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73B: Electoral officer may abandon voting method, or

"The electoral officer can stop using a voting method if it doesn't work properly."

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75: What voting documents for election must contain, or

"What information must be on your voting paper?"

Part 3Conduct of elections and polls
Voting, processing, and counting of votes

74Electoral officer to maintain security and secrecy at election or poll

  1. The electoral officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that—

  2. the security of voting documents and other electoral records is maintained; and
    1. voting documents and other electoral records are dealt with in the prescribed manner; and
      1. no electoral official, Justice of the Peace, or scrutineer discloses any information as to any candidate for whom, or the proposal for which, the voter is about to vote or has voted unless that disclosure—
        1. is required to conduct the count; or
          1. is otherwise authorised by law or any court of competent jurisdiction; and
          2. the processing and counting of votes, and the scrutiny of the electoral roll, are conducted in a manner that facilitates checking of the processes adopted to conduct those duties (whether at a recount, inquiry, or otherwise).