At a poll in a F1county or county borough . . . F2 any local government elector for the F1county or (as the case may be) county borough . . . F2 may claim to attend the counting of the votes as an observer, by giving to the F3. . . returning officer . . . F2 within seven days of the end of the period allowed for delivering requisition papers a written notice signed by the elector and stating his address, and subject to sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph he shall then have the same rights and obligations and be in all respects in the same position (as nearly as may be) in relation to the counting as a counting agent appointed by a candidate at an election of a F1councillor of the county or (as the case may be) county borough . . . F2 except that his agreement shall not be required to any interruption of the counting.

There shall not be allowed to attend the counting of the votes at any place a greater number of observers under this paragraph than the number of clerks employed there in the counting, or any observer not duly notified of the time and place of counting; and the persons to be allowed to attend as observers in any case shall be designated by the F4. . .returning officer . . . F2

Where on any poll a greater number of persons claim to attend the counting as observers than is allowed under sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph, the F4. . .returning officer . . . F2 in choosing between them shall have regard to their opinions about Sunday opening (if known to him) with the aim of designating, as far as he can, those for and those against Sunday opening in equal numbers.

A local government elector may in like manner claim to attend the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers, as well as or instead of the counting of the votes, and the foregoing sub-paragraphs shall apply with the necessary modifications of the references to the counting or to a counting agent; but the number to be allowed to attend on any occasion shall be restricted to such number as the F4. . .returning officer . . . F2 may decide to be reasonable in the circumstances.