SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 2Rules for conduct of an election of councillors for a principal area where poll is taken together with poll at a relevant election

PART 4Counting of Votes and Declaration of Result at Contested Elections

Preliminary and general duties where returning officer is not the co-ordinating returning officer56

1

This rule applies where the returning officer is not the co-ordinating returning officer.

2

The returning officer must make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the principal area counting agents as soon as practicable after the delivery of the ballot papers by the returning officer who is the co-ordinating returning officer.

3

The returning officer must give the principal area counting agents a notice stating the time when the counting of votes will begin (on the assumption that the ballot papers have been delivered) and the place at which the count will take place.

4

While counting and recording the number of ballot papers and counting the votes, the returning officer must—

a

keep the ballot papers with their faces upwards, and

b

take such other precautions as are appropriate for the purpose of preventing any person from seeing the numbers or other unique identifying marks printed on the back of the papers.