(2) The Returning Officer has such functions as are conferred or imposed on him by or under this Ordinance.
(3) The Electoral Affairs Commission shall appoint such number of Assistant Returning Officers as appears to the Commission to be necessary to enable an election to be held smoothly.
(4) An Assistant Returning Officer may, with the authority of the Returning Officer, perform the functions of the Returning Officer.
(5) An appointment under subsection (1) or (3) shall be published in the Gazette.
(6) Expenses properly incurred by the Returning Officer in the performance of his functions under this Ordinance shall be a charge on and payable from the general revenue.
42. Offence to obstruct or hinder electoral officers
A person who, without reasonable excuse, obstructs or hinders, or interferes with, an electoral officer in the performance of a function conferred or imposed on him by or under this Ordinance commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 2.
43. Electoral Affairs Commission may give direction to electoral officers
(1) The Electoral Affairs Commission may give any direction, either generally or in any particular case, with respect to the performance by an electoral officer of any of his functions under this Ordinance with respect to the holding or conduct of—
- (a) an election;
- (b) the nomination and election of a person or persons to be a member or members of the Election Committee under Parts 3 and 4 of the Schedule; or
- (c) a subsector election.
(2) A direction given under subsection (1) has no effect to the extent that it is inconsistent with this Ordinance or the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance (Cap. 541).
(3) An electoral officer shall, when performing a function under this Ordinance, comply with any direction given under subsection (1) with respect to the performance of the function.
