21.—(1) In Schedule 2, paragraph 48 (opening of covering envelopes) is amended as follows.
(2) Omit sub-paragraphs (2) and (7).
(3) For sub-paragraph (4) substitute—
“(4) The procedure in paragraph 51 applies where a covering envelope (including an envelope to which paragraph 46(2) applies) contains a postal voting statement.”
(4) For sub-paragraph (6) substitute—
“(6) Where a covering envelope does not contain a postal voting statement (whether separately or not) the local returning officer must mark the covering envelope “provisionally rejected”, attach its contents (if any) and place it in the receptacle for rejected votes.”