110JEarly processing of votes under sections 99 and 106

110J Early processing of votes under sections 99 and 106 (1) This section applies to the processing of— (a) ballot-papers deposited in ballot-boxes kept at an early voting centre under section 99(3); and (b) ballot-papers received by post under section 106. (2) The processing of ballot-papers must be conducted— (a) during the authorised period; and (b) within a restricted area; and S. 110J(2)(ba) inserted by No. 13/2022 s. 24(1). (ba) in the presence of any scrutineer; and (c) in accordance with the regulations; and (d) in accordance with any instructions in relation to secrecy determined by the Commission. (3) An election manager or election official cannot conduct any processing of ballot-papers unless the election manager or election official has given written notice to each registered political party and each candidate whose name is printed on the ballot-papers specifying— (a) the authorised period; and (b) the location of the restricted area. (4) A person must not enter the restricted area with any device that could be used to convey or transmit any information to a person or device located outside the restricted area. Penalty: 600 penalty units. (5) A person must not disclose or otherwise use information obtained during the processing of ballot-papers for any purpose other than the conducting of the processing. (6) In this section— S. 110J(6) def. of *authorised period* amended by No. 13/2022 s. 24(2). ***authorised period*** means— (a) in the case of ballot-papers deposited in ballot-boxes kept at an early voting centre under section 99(3), the period of 10 hours immediately before the close of voting specified in the written notice given under subsection (3); and (b) in the case of ballot-papers received by post under section 106, the period of 10 hours immediately before the close of voting specified in the written notice given under subsection (3); ***restricted area*** means an area specified in the written notice under subsection (3)— (a) that precludes any person outside that area from seeing or hearing any aspect of the processing; and (b) that is under the control of an election manager or election official who can permit a person to enter or leave that area.