The European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004

[F1Attendance at verification of ballot paper accountsE+W+S

50.(1) The local returning officer must make arrangements for the verification of the ballot paper accounts in the presence of the counting agents as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, and must give to the returning officer and the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin such verification.

(2) No person other than—

(a)the returning officer, the local returning officer and his clerks;

(b)the candidates and one other person chosen by each of them;

(c)the election agents;

(d)the counting agents; and

(e)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act;

may attend the verification of the ballot paper accounts, unless permitted by the local returning officer to attend.

(3) A person not entitled to attend the verification of ballot paper accounts must not be permitted to do so by the local returning officer unless he is satisfied that the efficient verification of the ballot paper accounts will not be impeded.

(4) The local returning officer must give the counting agents all such reasonable facilities for observing the proceedings, and all such information with respect to them, as he can give them consistently with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the discharge of his duties in connection with them.]