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12 months before his election, or since his election ; has within five
years been convicted of any crime and sentenced to imprisonment
with hard labour without the option of a fine, and has not received
a free pardon ; been adjudged bankrupt, or made a composition or
arrangement with his creditors during the time last stated ; holds
any paid office, or is interested or concerned in any bargain or contract
entered into with the Vestry.
The same section provides that if any person acts when disqualified,
or votes when prohibited under this section, he shall for
each offence, be liable on summary conviction to a fine not
exceeding £20. Section 51 of the Metropolis Local Management
Act of 1855 which provides for a penalty of £50 for acting as a
Vestryman when disqualified is repealed.
Mode of Conducting the Election.
The provisions of the Act relating to the conduct of elections
are as before stated to apply to the London Vestries, and such
elections are to be conducted according to rules to be framed by
the Local Government Board (Sec. 23 (5.) If there is a poll it
will have to be taken by ballot. The rules to be framed by the
Local Government Board in relation to Elections are by section
48 to provide inter alia:—
(a) For every candidate being nominated in writing by two
parochial electors as proposer and seconder, and no more.
(b) For preventing an elector at an election for a parish divided
into parish wards from subscribing a nomination paper or
voting for more than one ward.
(c) For fixing or enabling the County Council to fix the day of
the poll, and the hours during which the poll is to be kept
open, so however, that the poll shall always be open between
the hours of six and eight in the evening.
(d) For the polls at elections held at the same date and in the
same area being taken together, except where this is
impracticable.
(e) For the appointment of returning officers for the elections.
The Elections (Hours of Poll) Act, 1885, which directs that
the poll shall commence at 8 a.m., and close at 8 p.m., is applied
to Vestry elections by Sec. 31 (1).