The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

ACTING Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlin Hall said Friday the rules governing the upcoming gambling referendum will mirror those of general elections.

Speaking with The Big T, Mr Hall said the procedure will be the same except for a few minor changes.

“Nothing will be different, except instead of voting for a candidate you will be marking your ‘X’ next to two questions. The voter will be able to choose between the two questions. They will be on the same ballot, but they will be two different questions, one on top of the other. So you do not have to vote for both, you can choose; ‘Yes’ for one and ‘No’ for the other if you so choose.”

Mr Hall confirmed the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office had heard rumours that some members of the “Say Yes” campaign were handing out money and other incentives to sway voters, however, the reports had not been substantiated.

“There was just talk, we have no proof that these people are doing these things. If they are then that is a matter for the police. We are just responsible for ensuring the voting process goes smoothly,” he said.

“This sort of thing is not encouragement, it is a matter of moral behaviour, I am not sure if the Parliamentary Act speaks specifically to it. I will have to check. I think it is called inducement, but obviously I would not want someone to vote my way just because I gave them something.”

According to Tribune research, the Act specifically addresses bribery or the inducement of votes.

According to Section 96, the following persons shall be guilty of an offence under the Act:

“Every person who shall endeavour or pay, or cause to be advanced or paid, any money to or to the use of any other person with the intent that such money, or any part thereof, shall be expended in bribery at any election, or who shall knowingly pay or cause to be paid any money to any person in discharge or repayment of any money wholly or endeavour expend in bribery at any election;

“Every voter who shall before or during any election directly or indirectly by himself, or by any other person on his behalf, receive, agree or contract for any money, gift, loan, or valuable consideration, office, place, or employment, for himself or for any other person, for voting or agreeing to vote, or for refraining or agreeing to refrain from voting at any election;

“Every person who shall, after any election, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf receive any money or valuable consideration on account of any person having voted or refrained from voting, or having induced any other person to vote or refrain from voting, at any election;

“Every voter who shall solicit from a candidate or from any other person purporting to be acting on behalf of a candidate any money, gift, loan or valuable consideration, office, place or employment, for himself or for any other person in consideration of his voting or agreeing to vote or of his refraining or agreeing to refrain from voting at an election.”

Mr Hall said his office would continue to monitor whether or not votes were being ‘bought’.

Members of the public who have not yet registered to vote have until January 10 to do so.