The Soldiers’ ballot papers which been arriving by post for the last three weeks were examined yesterday [December 27] preparatory to counting. They will be mixed with those of the civilians to-day in order to prevent disclosure of how the soldiers voted... It is expected that the votes of soldiers and sailors which are still coming in will be received until the opening of the count. Many results will be declared early in the afternoon though delays are anticipated, owing to the novel conditions of elections. That less than 50 per cent of the soldiers voted appears from the number of ballot papers received in Middlesex which amount to only 38 per cent of the papers sent out. This is due to various causes including lack of interest and the clashing of the election with Christmas leave. All forecasts agree that the Coalition will have a more substantial majority even than anticipated.
