61Provisions relating to scrutineers

61 Provisions relating to scrutineers

(1) A scrutineer must not:

(a) engage in conduct that interferes with or attempts to influence any voter within the polling booth; or

(b) communicate with any person in the polling booth except so far as is necessary in the discharge of his or her functions.

(2) A scrutineer must not be prevented from entering or leaving a polling booth during the polling.

(3) During the absence of a scrutineer, a relieving scrutineer may act in his or her place.

(4) However, only 1 scrutineer at a time for each candidate is entitled to be present in the polling booth or at an issuing point at the polling booth.

(5) Subrule (6) applies to a scrutineer who:

(a) commits a breach of this rule; or

(b) misconducts himself or herself; or

(c) fails to obey a lawful direction of the presiding officer.

(6) The scrutineer may be removed from the polling booth by:

(a) a member of the Australian Federal Police; or

(b) a member of the police force or service of a State or Territory; or

(c) a person authorised by the presiding officer to remove the scrutineer.