Subject to regulations 15(5) and 17(2), functions conferred by these Regulations on the counting officer shall be exercised in each voting area by the person who is for the time being the returning officer at elections of councillors for that area under subsection (1) or (3) of section 35 (returning officers: local elections) of the 1983 Act23.

It is the counting officer’s general duty at the referendum to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectually conducting the referendum in the manner provided by these Regulations.

The counting officer may appoint persons to attend at polling stations for the purpose of detecting personation (“polling observers”).