31Nomination of candidates

31 Nomination of candidates

31 Nomination of candidates

(1) A nomination of a candidate—

(a) must be in a form approved by the Secretary, and

(b) must be made by at least 6 persons (other than the candidate) who each have the prescribed qualifications, and

(c) must be lodged with the returning officer before the close of nominations.

(2) If the returning officer is of the opinion that an insufficient number of the persons by whom a candidate has been nominated are qualified to nominate a candidate, the returning officer must, as soon as practicable, cause notice of that fact to be given to the candidate.

(3) For the purpose of enabling the returning officer to form an opinion as to whether a person by whom a candidate in an election has been nominated is qualified to nominate a candidate, the returning officer may require the appropriate officer to furnish the returning officer with such information regarding the person as the returning officer may specify.

(4) The appropriate officer must comply with such a requirement as soon as practicable.

(5) A candidate who has been nominated in an election may withdraw the nomination at any time before the close of nominations by notice in writing addressed to the returning officer.