PART 6OFFENCES

Tampering with signing sheets etc.I1122

1

A person is guilty of an offence if that person—

a

fraudulently defaces or fraudulently destroys a signing sheet, the official mark on any signing sheet, or a postal petition statement, declaration of identity or official envelope used in connection with signing the petition by post;

b

without due authority supplies a signing sheet to any person;

c

fraudulently puts into a ballot box any paper other than any signing sheet which the person is authorised by law to put in;

d

fraudulently takes out of any petition signing place a signing sheet;

e

without due authority destroys, takes, opens or otherwise interferes with a ballot box or packet of petition signing sheets then in use for the purposes of the petition; or

f

fraudulently or without due authority, as the case may be, attempts to do any of the foregoing acts.

2

If a petition officer or petition clerk counting the signing sheets or assisting at the proceedings in connection with the issue or receipt of postal signing sheets is guilty of an offence under this regulation, that person is liable—

a

on conviction on indictment to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both;

b

on summary conviction, to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.

3

If any other person is guilty of an offence under this regulation, that person is liable on summary conviction to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.