[F1Alternative means of returning postal ballot paper or postal voting statementE+W
27.—(1) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement may be returned by hand to a polling station being used either in the business referendum or in the corresponding residential referendum.
(2) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement may be returned to the counting officer by post or by hand.
(3) Subject to [F2paragraphs (3A) and (4)] the presiding officer of the polling station must deliver, or cause to be delivered, any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement returned to that station [F3and any return of postal voting documents form] to the counting officer in the same manner and at the same time as the presiding officer delivers, or causes to be delivered, the packets referred to in rule 62.
[F4(3A) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement may only be delivered to the counting officer in accordance with paragraph (3) if the requirements of rule 27A are met and the paper and statement are not rejected in accordance with rule 27B or 27D.]
(4) The counting officer may collect, or cause to be collected, any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement [F5and any return of postal voting documents form] 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 the counting officer.
[F6(5) Where the counting officer collects, or causes to be collected, any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement or return of postal voting documents form in accordance with paragraph (4) the presiding officer must first make up into separate packets sealed with the presiding officer’s own seal and the seals of such polling observers as are present and desire to affix their seals with a description of its contents written on each packet—
(a)the postal ballot papers and postal voting statements; and
(b)the return of postal voting documents forms for those postal ballot papers and postal voting statements.]]
Textual Amendments
F1Sch. 7 inserted (6.4.2013) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/798), regs. 1, 7, Sch. 2
F2Words in Sch. 7 rule 27(3) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 9(5)(b)(i)(aa)
F3Words in Sch. 7 rule 27(3) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 9(5)(b)(i)(bb)
F4Sch. 7 rule 27(3A) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 9(5)(b)(ii)
F5Words in Sch. 7 rule 27(4) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 9(5)(b)(iii)
F6Sch. 7 rule 27(5) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 9(5)(b)(iv)