I move amendment No. 8:
In page 30, lines 44 to 47, to delete subsection (1) and substitute the following:
"49. —(1) The local Returning Officer shall having rejected any ballot papers that are invalid, arrange in parcels according to the first preferences recorded for each candidate.".
I see no reason why ballot papers need to be mixed in a Presidential election. The reason for mixing ballot papers is to ensure a random distribution or selection of any surplus when a second or third candidate is to be elected. Given that we are electing only one candidate, there seems little reason for mixing all the ballot papers as suggested in the Bill. It would involve a considerable number of ballot papers; otherwise I would not bother with what I see as an irrelevancy.
I would appreciate an explanation from the Minister as to why thousands and thousands — hopefully a few million ballot papers — have to be mixed in accordance with section 114 of the Act of 1992 as applied by section 47 of that Act. There is also no question of a deposit being returned, so there is no real reason for mixing ballot papers as we do not have to distribute a surplus. May we have an explanation for what is in the Bill? I hope my amendment would be acceptable.