“73A Adjournment of electoral processes

• “(1) An electoral officer may, by notice made in accordance with this section, specify a later date for 1 or more of the following in respect of a triennial general election of members of the local authority that appointed the officer, and its community boards:

  • “(a) the date by which, or dates during which, a certain qualification entitles an elector to be included on the electoral roll:

  • “(b) the nomination day:

  • “(c) the polling day:

  • “(d) the date by which anything else may or must be done under this Act or regulations made under this Act.

  “(2) The notice must be published in the Gazette in the year in which the triennial general election is to be held.

  “(3) A date specified by the notice must be no more than 6 weeks after the date that would otherwise have applied.

  “(4) A date may be specified by the notice only if the order commences on or before the date that would otherwise have applied.

  “(5) Before publishing the notice, the electoral officer must be satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the notice is necessary to ensure that the adverse effects of an emergency (whether local or national) or of anything referred to in section 73(1)(a) to (d) do not deny electors a reasonable opportunity to cast a valid vote, nominate a candidate, or accept nomination as a candidate in relation to the election.

  “(6) Upon the commencement of a notice made under this section,—

  • “(a) a date specified in the notice has effect in relation to the triennial general election of members of the local authority and community boards to which the order applies; and

  • “(b) this Act and any regulations made under this Act apply to the election with any necessary modifications.”