§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal what election material he will issue 319W to explain to the electors of Southern Rhodesia the electoral and polling processes.
§ Mr. LuceElection arrangements are the responsibility of the Governor and his advisers. The Election Commissioner has considered and approved publicity material to explain voting procedures and the secrecy of the ballot to the electorate, and he will be considering further appropriate material in due course.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal what provisions he intends to make to control the use of Southern African funds to influence the outcome of the Southern Rhodesian elections.
§ Mr. LuceIt is not likely to be practicable to control funds to individual parties, from whatever source they are received. However, the Election Commissioner is considering a requirement to disclose election expenses.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal what specific provisions he intends to make to prevent the gifts of liquor, tobacco and food designed to influence the voters during the Southern Rhodesian elections; and what provisions he will make to prevent the bribery of the electorate during the period of the Southern Rhodesian elections.
§ Mr. LuceAll these are corrupt practices and are punishable under the electoral laws—section 111 of the Rhodesian Electoral Act 1979.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal what proposals he intends to make governing the limits of expenditure for electioneering in the Southern Rhodesian elections.
§ Mr. LuceIt is not likely to be practicable to control funds to individual parties, from whatever source they are received. However the Election Commissioner is considering a requirement to disclose election expenses.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in order that the conditions for free and fair elections in Southern Rhodesia will be established, he will ensure that the hiring of transport facilities to carry voters to the polls will be equally available to all parties.
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§ Mr. LuceThis matter is currently under consideration by the Election Commissioner. It is not possible to give a more definitive reply at this stage.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the exceptional difficulties of reaching the polls in the rainy season in Southern Rhodesia, what additional transport facilities he intends to make available to all the parties.
§ Mr. LuceThe question of transport to take voters to the polls is currently under consideration by the Election Commissioner. However, for the voters' convenience during the rainy season it is likely that there will be more mobile polling stations in rural areas, but it is too early to be precise.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will impose a ban on the hire of public transport facilities to any of the parties for carrying voters to the polls in the Southern Rhodesian elections or alternatively whether he will make such facilities equally available to all parties.
§ Mr. LuceThis matter is currently under consideration by the Election Commissioner. It is not possible to give a more definitive reply at this stage.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Lord Privy Seal what provisions he intends to make not only to ensure the physical safety of the party leaders during the Southern Rhodesian elections but also their rapid and safe travelling to all parts of the country during this period.
§ Mr. LuceThe Governor has given instructions to the police to take all necessary measures to ensure the physical protection of those taking part in the election campaign and particularly the leaders of the political parties. It is the responsibility of the Governor and his advisers to ensure that the conditions in which the elections take place do not disadvantage any of the parties. The planning of election campaigns and itineraries is a matter for the leaders of the political parties contesting the elections. The political parties will be treated equally, and the Governor and his staff will consider impartially any requests for assistance which they may receive.