Electoral Commission: Community newspapers allegedly breached election-day rules

The Electoral Commission has referred eight matters relating to the General Election and referendums to the police. Photo / 123rf

Three community financial pages are in hot water after allegations the businesses breached election day rules via advertising.

Your current breaches are among eight features relating to the General Election and referendums that the Electoral Commission has described police.

Ten of the apparent breaches, including the ten by community papers, relate to election day rules.

The Electoral Commission has not branded the community papers, which allegedly fenced in election advertisements on election day.

It is not clear tom breaches relate to advertising in print as online.

All the other two election day matters are an email being sent to voters since an election sign on display.

“It is an offence under section 197 of the Electoral Act 1993 for a person that interfere with, or influence voters to election day, ” the Electoral Commission said in a statement.

Three other points have also been referred to police.

“One matter relates to a false statement on a special vote declaration, contrary to regulation 68 of the Electoral Regulations 1996.

“Two matters relate to a failure to incorporate a promoter statement on referendum advertising, contrary to sections 52 and therefore 75 of the Referendums Framework Law 2019. ”

The matter is now with the police, currently the commission said.

Police said the appropriate spokesperson for this terrific matter was not available this evening.

The Electoral Prime would not comment further on the affair when approached.