Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01736:reg:31
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01736
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 31
Character Range: 25598–26949

31  Conduct of scrutineers
 (1) A scrutineer may be present at any time during:
 (a) the preliminary scrutiny of declaration envelopes; and
 (b) the counting of the ballot papers.
 (2) A scrutineer may countersign any seal, or place the scrutineer's own seal, on any receptacle used for completed ballot papers.
 (3) A scrutineer may bring to the attention of the returning officer any alleged irregularity in relation to any of the following:
 (a) the issue of election material;
 (b) a decision by the returning officer to count, or not to count, a ballot paper;
 (c) the counting of ballot papers.
 (4) A scrutineer must not:
 (a) interrupt the counting and scrutiny of ballot papers without lawful reason; or
 (b) disclose any knowledge acquired during scrutiny about the vote of a particular voter; or
 (c) fail to comply with any lawful request made by the returning officer; or
 (d) touch any election material; or
 (e) act in a way that interferes with the proper conduct of the ballot.
 (5) If a scrutineer fails to comply with subsection (4), the returning officer may exclude the scrutineer from the counting and scrutiny of the ballot papers.
 (6) The returning officer must not delay the preliminary scrutiny of declaration envelopes or counting of ballot papers solely because a scrutineer is unable to attend the scrutiny or counting.