Maintenance of secrecy of count of early votes

1 On polling day, no person (other than a scrutineer appointed under section 174F ) may, without the express authorisation of the Returning Officer, enter a restricted area. 2 On polling day, a person who enters, whether with or without authorisation, a restricted area may not leave the area before the close of the poll without the express authorisation of the Returning Officer. 3 The Electoral Commission may issue instructions to Returning Officers setting further requirements for the purpose of maintaining the secrecy of counts conducted before the close of the poll. 4 The Returning Officer must ensure that all persons who take part in the counts conducted before the close of the poll are familiar with any instructions issued under subsection (3), and the Returning Officer and those persons must comply with those instructions. Section 174E : inserted , on 28 February 2002 , by section 67(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1). Section 174E(3) : amended , on 1 October 2010 , by section 32(1)(a) of the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 26).