17. The 1979 register
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(1) Upon the adoption by the Commission of the existing lists in the manner provided by subsection (2)—
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(a) the existing lists (with corrections) is deemed to have been duly prepared, revised and published in accordance with the laws in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution;
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(b) the existing lists (with corrections) is deemed to be the register of electors for each electoral district and shall be a permanent registration of the electors named therein subject only to such revision and corrections thereof as are authorised by this Act;
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(c) the existing lists (with corrections) being then the Register shall be used for all elections held during the year 1979 in the several electoral districts.
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(2) The Commission may adopt the existing lists (with corrections) by publication of a notice to that effect in the Gazette.
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(3) In this section—
“the existing lists” means the lists of electors for the several electoral districts entitled “Register of Electors” and “Register of Police Electors” which were prepared and revised by the person who was the Chief Registration Officer under the laws in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution, and which was signed by that person (however designated) and dated and published on the 15 May 1979 by copies thereof being made available for inspection at the electoral office and at specified public places in the electoral districts to which they relate;
“corrections” means such additions to the existing lists as are authorised under section 18.
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(4) For the purposes of section 18 the register for the year 1979 shall be deemed to have been published on the date of the notice referred to in subsection (2).