Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 5 applied (with modifications) (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), s. 19(2), Sch. 5 para. 53
C2Pt. 5 excluded (E.) (22.9.2020) by The Postponed Elections and Referendums (Coronavirus) and Policy Development Grants (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/926), regs. 1(2), 4(2)(b)
C3Pt. 5 excluded (W.) (4.12.2020) by The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1399), regs. 2, 5(1)(2)
81.—(1) The returning officer shall provide a separate ballot box for the reception of—
(a)the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters (“postal voters' ballot box”), and
(b)postal ballot papers (“postal ballot box”).
(2) Each such ballot box shall be marked “postal voters' ballot box” or “postal ballot box”, as the case may be, and with the name of the constituency or electoral area (or areas) for which the election (or elections) is held.
(3) The postal ballot box shall be shown to the agents present on the occasion of opening the first postal voters' ballot box as being empty.
(4) The returning officer shall then lock the ballot box and apply his seal in such manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal; any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.
(5) The returning officer shall provide the following receptacles—
(a)the receptacle for rejected votes;
F1(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes; F2...
(d)the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes;
[F3(e)the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure); and
(f)the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure).]
(6) The returning officer shall take proper precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this regulation.
Textual Amendments
F1Reg. 81(5)(b) revoked (6.4.2014) by The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3198), reg. 1(3)(a), Sch. 2; S.I. 2014/414, art. 3(a)
F2Word in reg. 81(5) omitted (1.1.2007) by virtue of The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2910), regs. 1(1), 36
F3Reg. 81(5)(e)(f) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2910), regs. 1(1), 36 (with reg. 1(2)(3)(c))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4Reg. 81 applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6
C5Reg. 81 applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (with reg. 27)
C6Reg. 81 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6
C7Reg. 81 applied (with modifications) (26.2.2016) by The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/219), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 37
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 81 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)