5

In carrying out the procedures in this regulation and regulations 85 to 88, the returning officer–

a

shall keep the ballot papers face downwards and shall take proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the votes made on the ballot papers; and

b

shall not be permitted to view the corresponding number list used at the issue of postal ballot papers.

6

Where an envelope contains a postal voting statement, the returning officer shall place a mark in the marked copy of the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list in a place corresponding to the number of the elector to denote that a postal vote has been returned.

7

A mark made under paragraph (6) shall be distinguishable from and shall not obscure the mark made under regulation 72(3).

8

As soon as practicable after the last covering envelope has been opened, the returning officer shall make up into a packet the copy of the postal voters list and proxy postal voters list that have been marked in accordance with paragraph (6) and shall seal such a packet.