Providing food, drink, or entertainment around polling places

1 During any voting period, a person must not provide, free of charge, any food, drink, or entertainment in an area around a polling place knowing that the area is a controlled area. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply to an entity that in its ordinary course of business provides, free of charge,— a any food or drink in the controlled area around a polling place: b entertainment— i in the controlled area around a polling place; or ii outside the controlled area around a polling place but that may be seen or heard in the controlled area around a polling place. 3 A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an illegal practice. 4 In this section,— controlled area , in relation to a polling place, means the area within 100 metres of any entrance to the polling place, or any smaller area specified by the Electoral Commission for a particular polling place drink excludes water entertainment includes music polling place includes an advance polling place voting period , in relation to a polling place, means any period during which electors may vote at the polling place. Section 218A : inserted , on 20 December 2025 , by section 49 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 82).