39AFurther investigation of postal votes by a regional panel

39A Further investigation of postal votes by a regional panel

(1) If a postal vote card is referred to a senior liaison officer under subparagraph 37 (4) (ca) (iii), the officer must as soon as practicable within 9 days after the close of the poll arrange for a regional panel to determine whether the elector is an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander.

(2) A regional panel is made up of:

(3) After making any investigations that it considers appropriate, the regional panel must determine whether the elector is an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander.

(4) The senior liaison officer must:

(a) by the close of business on the second Monday after polling day, tell the Returning Officer whether or not, having regard to the panel’s determination, the postal vote should be admitted for further scrutiny; and

(b) send all relevant documents, including any documents given to the panel in the course of its investigation (if any), to the Returning Officer.

(5) The Returning Officer must tell the elector whether or not, having regard to the panel’s determination, the postal vote will be admitted for further scrutiny.