The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007

Procedure on close of poll U.K.

53.—(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the polls where the polls at a constituency election and at a regional election have been taken together, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as desire to affix their seals—

(a) each ballot box in use at the station, sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers and unopened;

(b) the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together relating to the constituency election;

(c) the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together relating to the regional election;

(d) the tendered ballot papers relating to the constituency election;

(e) the tendered ballot papers relating to the regional election;

(f) the marked copies of the register of electors (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and of the list of proxies;

(g) the lists prepared under rule 27, including the parts which were completed in accordance with rule 46(1)(b) (together referred to in these rules as “the completed corresponding number lists”);

(h) the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll; and

(i) the tendered votes list, the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions, the list of votes marked by the presiding officer, a statement of the number of voters whose votes are so marked by the presiding officer under the heads “disability” and “unable to read”, the list maintained under rule 51 and the declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities.

(2) Where paragraph (1) does not apply at an Assembly election, as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as desire to affix their seals—

(a) each ballot box in use at the station, sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers and unopened;

(b) the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together;

(c) the tendered ballot papers;

(d) the marked copies of the register of electors (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and of the list of proxies;

(e) the completed corresponding number lists;

(f) the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll; and

(g) the tendered votes list, the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions, the list of votes marked by the presiding officer, a statement of the number of voters whose votes are so marked by the presiding officer under the heads “disability” and “unable to read”, the list maintained under rule 51 and the declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities.

(3) The presiding officer shall deliver the packets made up under paragraph (1) or (2), or cause them to be delivered, to the constituency returning officer to be taken charge of by him; but if the packets are not delivered by the presiding officer personally to the constituency returning officer, the arrangements for their delivery shall require the constituency returning officer’s approval.

(4) The packets shall be accompanied by—

(a) a separate statement relating to each Assembly election where paragraph (1) applies; or

(b) a statement relating to the Assembly election where paragraph (2) applies,

(in these rules referred to as “the ballot paper account”) made by the presiding officer showing the number of ballot papers entrusted to him, and accounting for them under the heads of ballot papers issued and not otherwise accounted for, unused, spoilt and tendered ballot papers.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 5 rule 53 in force at 1.2.2007, see art. 1(1)