98Return of the writ

98 Return of the writ

(1) The Electoral Commissioner must, immediately after receiving the statements sent under section 97: (a) certify, in relation to each State, in relation to the Australian Capital Territory, in relation to the Northern Territory and in relation to the whole Commonwealth: (i) the number of votes given in favour of the proposed law; and (ii) the number of votes given not in favour of the proposed law; and (iii) the number of ballot papers rejected as informal; and attach the certificate to the original writ; and (b) return the writ and the certificate to the Governor‑General. (2) The Electoral Commissioner must publish a copy of the certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(a) in the Gazette, and a copy of such a certificate so published is, subject to Part VIII, conclusive evidence of the result of the referendum to which it relates.