The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004

Chief counting officer’s recount

59.—(1) As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the count (which includes any re-count under rule 57) and any re-count directed under this rule, the counting officer shall draw up a provisional statement showing—

(a) the number of ballot papers counted by him, and

(b) the number of votes cast in favour of each answer to the question asked in the referendum.

(2) As soon as practicable after completion of the provisional statement, the counting officer shall inform the Chief Counting Officer of its contents.

(3) Once the Chief Counting Officer has received the report of every counting officer on the contents of their provisional statements prepared under paragraph (1) and under rule 58(6), the Chief Counting Officer, having regard to any request by a referendum agent for a re-count of votes, may direct counting officers to re-count (or further re-count) the votes.

(4) A re-count directed by the Chief Counting Officer under paragraph (3) shall be of the votes in all the voting areas in the referendum area, or in such of the voting areas as he considers reasonable.

(5) A counting officer shall proceed with a re-count as soon as practicable after receipt of the Chief Counting Officer’s direction, and if not proceeding forthwith shall notify those counting agents entitled to be present at the re-count of the time and place at which he will begin to re-count the votes.