Referendum Act, 1942

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Issuing of instructions by the Minister.

32.—(1) The Minister may, whenever he thinks proper so to do, issue to all or any local returning officers or officer such instructions in relation to the conduct of the poll (including the opening of the ballot boxes and the counting of the votes) at a referendum as he shall consider necessary or expedient in order to ensure the smooth and efficient taking of such referendum and to secure uniformity of procedure in regard thereto in all constituencies.

(2) It shall be the duty of every local returning officer to observe and comply with all instructions given to him by the Minister under the next preceding sub-section of this section.

(3) If any difficulty shall arise in the taking of a referendum; the Minister may by order provide for any matter or do any thing not inconsistent with this Act which appears to him to be necessary for the proper taking of such referendum.

(4) No local returning officer shall be required or authorised by an instruction given to him or an order made by the Minister under this section to do any act (whether of ommission or comission) which is contrary to this Act, or which would, directly or indirectly, infringe the secrecy of the ballot.