FED:Latham has not broken any laws

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2010
FED:Latham has not broken any laws

The Australian Electoral Commission says former Labor leader MARK LATHAM hasn't explicitly
broken any electoral law by encouraging Australians to cast a blank vote in Saturday's
federal election.

But says it would prefer voters ignored Mr LATHAM's advice and not waste their vote.

The controversial political figure .. who has dogged both Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD
and Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT during the election campaign .. used his report on the
Nine Network's 60 Minutes to spruik a protest vote by not filling out the ballot paper.

An AEC spokesman says the Commonwealth Electoral Act doesn't contain an explicit provision
prohibiting the casting of a blank vote.

Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT says Mr LATHAM has given voters very bad advice and says
people should make their vote count.

AAP RTV tl/sw/

KEYWORD: POLL10 LATHAM (CANBERRA)

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