The Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004

20.  For paragraph (1) of rule 44 (attendance at counting of votes) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

“(1) Where the returning officer at the parliamentary election discharges the functions specified in Regulation 5 of the Combination of Polls Regulations, he shall—

(a) make arrangements for—

(i) discharging the functions under rule 45(1)(1) below (as substituted by Regulation 8 of those Regulations) in the presence of the counting agents appointed for the purposes of the parliamentary election and for each relevant election or referendum, as soon as practicable after the close of the poll; and

(ii) thereafter counting the votes at the parliamentary election in the presence of the counting agents appointed for the purposes of that election; and

(b) he shall give to those counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin to discharge the functions under rule 45(1) below (as so substituted).

(1A) Where the returning officer at the parliamentary election does not discharge the functions specified in Regulation 5 of the Combination of Polls Regulations, he shall—

(a) make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the counting agents as soon as practicable after the delivery of the ballot papers to him by the returning officer who does discharge those functions, and

(b) give to the counting agents notice in writing of the time after which he will begin to count the votes if by then he has received the ballot papers and of the place at which that count will take place.

(1B) No person other than a person entitled to be present at the counting of the votes at each relevant election or referendum may be present at the proceedings under rule 45(1) (as so substituted).”

(1)

Paragraphs (1) and (1A) were substituted for paragraph (1), as originally enacted, by paragraph 82 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50).