Agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on issue or receipt of postal ballot papersN.I.
73.—(1) Each candidate may appoint one or more agents to attend the proceedings on the issue or receipt of the postal ballot papers.
(2) The returning officer shall specify the number of agents allowed to attend proceedings under paragraph (1).
(3) The number of agents specified under paragraph (2) shall be the same for each candidate.
(4) Notice in writing of the appointment stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed shall be given by the candidate to the returning officer before the time fixed for the issue of the postal ballot papers or the opening of the postal voters’ ballot box, as the case may be.
(5) If an agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, the candidate may appoint another agent in his place and shall forthwith give to the returning officer notice in writing of the name and address of the agent appointed.
(6) Agents may be appointed and notice of appointment given to the returning officer by the candidate’s election agent instead of by the candidate.
(7) In this Part of these Regulations references to agents shall be taken as references to agents whose appointments have been duly made and notified and, in the case of agents appointed under paragraph (1), who are within the number authorised by the returning officer.
(8) A candidate may himself do any act or thing which any agent of his, if appointed, would have been authorised to do, or may assist his agent in doing any such act or thing.
(9) Where in this Part of these Regulations any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the candidates or their agents, the non-attendance of any such persons or person at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.
[F1(10) Nothing in this regulation applies to the issue or receipt of tendered postal ballot papers under rule 40ZA of the elections rules.]
Textual Amendments
F1Reg. 73(10) inserted (15.9.2014) by The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1808), regs. 1(1), 23
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Reg. 73 applied (with modifications) (26.2.2016) by The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/219), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 84