XN000022-1984-07-11 — Page 19

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1984

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→AS A RESULT, THE BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL SEEKS AMENDMENTS TO THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES, WHICH ARE MOSTLY OF A TIDYING UP NATURE AND DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PROCEDURES AND FACILITATE THE BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.+

AMONG THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS ARE:

*

AFTER DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN 1985 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES WILL CEASE TO BE BOARD MEMBERS, THOUGH THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND MEETINGS.

* A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WHO FAILS TO ATTEND MEETINGS FOR

SIX CONSECUTIVE MONTHS WITHOUT A REASONABLE EXCUSE WILL BE DISQUAL IF IED FROM HOLDING OFFICE.

*

A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER CONVICTED OF OFFENCES RELATING TO BRIBERY AND CORRUPT PRACTICES AFTER HIS ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

* THE ELECTORAL TIMETABLE WILL BE MOVED FORWARD BY ABOUT

TWO WEEKS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR ELECTIONEERING.

*

*

*

TWO NEW PROVISIONS TO PREVENT BRIBERY AND INTIMIDATION IN RELATION TO STANDING AS A CANDIDATE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT MONEY RECEIVED FOR ELECTION ACTIVITIES SHALL BE USED ONLY FOR THAT PURPOSE.

CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE IR ELECTION EXPENSES WITHIN A SET TIME LIMIT.

THE MINIMUM AGE OF AN ELECTION, POLLING OR COUNTING AGENT SHOULD BE 21 YEARS.

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* ELECTIONS WILL FINISH LATER AT 10.30 PM AS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE PROVED VOTING WAS HEAVIEST IN THE EVENING.

* THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF PERMITTED EXPENSES FOR A CANDIDATE

FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE RAISED TO $20 000 FROM THE PRESENT $13 000 AND FOR URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP TO $35 000 FROM $23 000.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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