On the section, I do not quite approve of the wording of it. It provides that "where a Dáil election in any constituency is adjourned for the purpose of taking a poll," etc., "the Returning Officer, if he is of opinion that, owing to stress of weather or transport difficulties," etc. Should not the section begin with the words "Where the Returning Officer, if he is of opinion that, owing to stress of weather or transport difficulties" and so on, can adjourn the poll?
Public Business. - Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1946 —Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 agreed to.
SECTION 8.
Question proposed: "That Section 8 stand part of the Bill."
It is purely a matter of definition. The word "adjourn" is used to mean that there are more candidates than there are persons to be returned. In fact, it means that a poll is to be taken. It does not mean that the election is to be postponed, but rather the taking of a poll according to law.
I see.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 9 and 10 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Agreed: "That the remaining Stages of the Bill be taken now."
Question—"That the Bill be received for final consideration"—put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
Ordered: "That the Bill be returned to the Dáil."