11.—(1) Regulation 79 of the 2001 Regulations shall be amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (3) at the beginning insert “Subject to paragraph (4)”.
(3) After paragraph (3) insert—
“(4) The returning officer may collect, or cause to be collected, any postal ballot paper or declaration of identity which by virtue of paragraph (3) the presiding officer of a polling station would otherwise be required to deliver or cause to be delivered to him.
(5) Where the returning officer collects, or causes to be collected, any postal ballot paper or declaration of identity in accordance with paragraph (4) the presiding officer shall first make it (or them) up into a packet (or packets) sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as are present and desire to affix their seals.”.