The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004

Ballot boxes and receptacles

39.—(1) The counting officer shall provide a separate ballot box for the reception of—

(a) the covering envelopes when returned by the voters (“preliminary ballot box”), and

(b) the ballot papers (“final ballot box”).

(2) Where there are combined polls, the counting officer—

(a) shall provide the same preliminary ballot box for the combined polls;

(b) except where there are combined ballot papers, may provide the same final ballot box for the combined polls; and

(c) where there are combined ballot papers, shall provide the same final ballot box for the combined polls.

(3) Each such ballot box shall be marked “preliminary ballot box” or “final ballot box”, as the case may be, and shall be clearly marked with—

(a) the name of any referendum to which it relates;

(b) the referendum area to which it relates; and

(c) the voting area at that referendum.

(4) The final ballot box (or boxes) shall be shown as being empty to the receipt agents present on the occasion of opening the first preliminary ballot box.

(5) The counting officer shall then lock the final ballot box (or boxes), if capable of being locked, and apply his seal in such manner as to prevent the box (or boxes) being opened without breaking the seal, allowing any of the receipt agents present who wish to add their seals to then do likewise.

(6) The counting officer shall provide the following receptacles—

(a) the receptacle for rejected votes;

(b) the receptacle for security statements;

(c) the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes;

(d) the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes; and

(e) the receptacle for cancelled ballot papers.

(7) The counting officer shall take proper precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this rule.