356TBHanding out electoral materials—arrangements for COVID-19 pandemic

356TB Handing out electoral materials—arrangements for COVID-19 pandemic

356TB Handing out electoral materials—arrangements for COVID-19 pandemic

(1) The election manager may direct that a person must not hand out tangible electoral material in or on—

(a) a polling place or pre-polling office, or

(b) relevant premises within 100 metres of—

(i) a polling place, or

(ii) a pre-polling office.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) may be given only if the election manager is satisfied the direction is necessary—

(a) to comply with a public health order that is in force at the time of the election, or

(b) to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19 where the material would be handed out.

(3) Notice of the direction must be published on the election manager’s website.

(4) If a direction is made, the election manager may publish links to electoral material published by the political participants on the election manager’s website.

(5) If an election official is satisfied that a person has contravened the direction, the election official may remove and confiscate, or cause to be removed and confiscated, any tangible electoral material.

(6) Electoral material removed and confiscated under this section may be destroyed.

(7) The extension of the meaning of electoral material under section 356L applies to electoral material for the purposes of this section.

(8) (Repealed)

(9) In this section—

relevant premises means premises occupied or used by, or under the control or management of—

(a) the Crown, or

(b) a NSW agency, or

(c) a council, county council or joint organisation.

s 356TB: Am 2021 (617), Sch 1[11].