Reservation of disputed ballot papers
281 Reservation of disputed ballot papers
The officer conducting a re‑count may, and at the request of any scrutineer shall, reserve any ballot paper for the decision of the Australian Electoral Officer.
The Australian Electoral Officer shall decide whether any ballot paper so reserved is to be allowed and admitted or disallowed and rejected.
In the event of the validity of the election being disputed, the Court of Disputed Returns may consider any ballot papers which were reserved for the decision of the Australian Electoral Officer, but shall not order any further re‑count of the whole or any part of the ballot papers in connexion with the election unless it is satisfied that the re‑count is justified.
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