114Persons present at the count

114 Persons present at the count

(1) The returning officer for an election may direct a person to leave the place where the count is being conducted if the person—

(a) is not entitled to be present, or to remain present, at the count; or

(b) being entitled to be present, interrupts the count, except as provided by subregulation (2).

(2) A candidate's scrutineer may interrupt the count and so inform the returning officer if the scrutineer—

(a) objects to a decision by the returning officer that a ballot paper is formal or informal, as the case may be; or

(b) considers that an error has been made in the conduct of the count.

(3) A person must comply with a direction given to that person under subregulation (1) unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.