Polling booth misconduct to come under scrutiny

The electoral commission is set to give evidence to a parliamentary committee examining questionable conduct outside polling places at recent state and federal elections.

Submissions to the inquiry blame most of that on union officials, some dressed up as firemen, intimidating voters and Liberal supporters handing out how-to-vote cards.

Electoral commissioner Tom Rogers will appear before the joint standing committee on electoral matters at its hearing in Canberra on Thursday afternoon.

The committee is examining current rules for campaign activities around polling places, including distribution of how-to-vote cards, campaigning by organisations other than political parties and activities intended to mislead or intimidate voters.