This ballot paper has two sections. You can either:

Vote in the top section by putting a tick in one (and only one) of the boxes beside the symbol of the party or independent candidate of your choice. You must leave all the other boxes blank.

OR

You can vote in the lower section. If you vote in the lower section, clearly write;
* the number ‘1’ in the box beside the symbol of the candidate who is your first choice.
* the number ‘2’ in the box beside your second choice.
* the number ‘3’ in the box beside your third choice, and so on until you have numbered every box in this section.
Take care not to repeat or miss out numbers.
Every box in this section must be numbered.
Do not use ticks or crosses in this lower section.

Remember for this ballot paper either put a tick in the top section or number all the boxes in the lower section.

3. Is it possible to receive a ballot paper that is different from the above?
Yes. That ballot paper will look like the one below:

If none of the candidates for a constituency registers a list of preferences with the Supervisor of Elections, you would receive this particular ballot paper.

You vote in the same way as you do for the lower section of the ballot paper in 2.

Remember that you clearly write:
* the number ‘1’ in the box beside the symbol of the candidate who is your first choice.
* the number ‘2’ in the box beside your second choice.
* the number ‘3’ in the box beside your third choice, and so on until you have numbered every box.
Again, take care not to repeat or miss out numbers. For this ballot paper remember, every box must be numbered. Do not use ticks or crosses.

4. What can I do if I make a mistake when filling in my ballot paper?
If you make a mistake when filling out your ballot paper, you can return it to a polling official and ask for another one.

5. What if I need assistance to fill in my ballot paper?
Voters who can’t read or write, or who are disabled, or need help for any other reason may arrange with the officer in charge of the polling station for polling officials to assist them in the filling out of ballot papers.

6. What will happen if I don’t register or vote?
If you do not register or vote in a general election without a good reason, you may be penalised as follows:

Failure to register

a) Failure to register - $50 fine.
You may be fined $50 by a court if you are found guilty of failing to register yourself on the Electoral Roll without a reasonable excuse.

b) If you have been convicted of failing to register, you should apply for registration within 30 days. If you don’t do that, then you could be taken to court again and fined up to $500 or be imprisoned for 1 month.

Failure To Vote

a) Failure to vote - $20 penalty

This penalty is paid to the Supervisor of Elections if you don’t have a valid and sufficient reason for not voting.

b) If you refuse to pay the penalty of $20, you may be taken to court. Upon conviction you may have to pay a fine of $200 and face possible imprisonment of 1 month.

7. Where Can I Get More Information?
If you have any questions at all regarding registration and voting, call the Elections Office Helpline at 112277 or Phone: 331 6225, Fax: 330 2436.

Where your vote goes.

The most likely ballot paper

EITHER

If you place a tick in a box in this top section, your preferences or choices will be counted the way that party or candidate (of the symbol that you have chosen) has registered them with the Supervisor of Elections.

OR

You place numbers here. ‘1’ to your 1st choice, ‘2’ to your 2nd choice, ‘3’ to your 3rd choice and so on until you have numbered every box in this section. You are deciding for yourself all your choices.

A possible (But less likely ballot paper)

You place numbers here. ‘1’ to your 1st choice, ‘2’ to your 2nd choice, ‘3’ to your 3rd choice, and so on until you have numbered every box. You are deciding for yourself all your choices.