48.—(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.
(2) The local returning officer must give the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which the verification of the ballot paper accounts will begin.
(3) A person may be present at the verification of the ballot paper accounts only if—
(a)the person is within paragraph (4), or
(b)the person is permitted by the local returning officer to attend.
(4) The persons within this paragraph are—
(a)the police area returning officer and the local returning officer;
(b)the clerks of either officer;
(c)the candidates and one other person chosen by each of them;
(d)the election agents;
(e)the counting agents;
(f)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act.
(5) The local returning officer may give a person permission under paragraph (3)(b) only if the local returning officer is satisfied that the person's attendance will not impede the efficient verification of the ballot paper accounts.
(6) The local returning officer must give the counting agents all such reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings, and all such information with respect to them, as the local returning officer can give them consistently with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the discharge of the local returning officer's duties.