Tardy candidates may be referred to police

About 80 election candidates may be referred to the police after failing to file details of their election expenses on time.

Acting chief electoral officer Robert Peden said of the 597 electorate candidates in the general election last September, 515 had returned their expense forms by Monday's deadline.

The 82 candidates would be sent a reminder, but if they continued to withhold the information they may be referred to the police.

Under the Electoral Act's rules, candidates can spend only $20,000.