21.—(1) The returning officer must send a voting pack to each voter at—
(a)the address in respect of which the voter is registered; or
(b)if the voter is an absent voter, at the voter’s alternative address.
(2) A voting pack must contain—
(a)a ballot paper;
(b)a copy of any candidate statements submitted by the candidates named on the ballot paper;
(c)instructions for completing the ballot paper and returning it to the returning officer (including details of the address to which it is to be returned and the deadline for returning it);
(d)information about how to obtain those instructions in other forms (for example in Braille, in audible form or in a language other than English); and
(e)an envelope with the address to which the ballot paper is to be returned printed on it and which the voter may use to return the ballot paper (a “covering envelope”).
(3) The returning officer may refuse to include a candidate statement in voting packs if the officer considers any of its content to be unlawful.
(4) The cost of returning the ballot paper in the covering envelope must be pre-paid by the returning officer.
(5) The returning officer may use—
(a)a universal service provider within the meaning of section 4(3) and (4) of the Postal Services Act 2000(1); or
(b)a commercial delivery firm,
for the purpose of sending voting packs.
(6) Where such a provider or firm is used—
(a)voting packs must be counted and delivered by the returning officer to the provider or firm; and
(b)the officer must obtain a receipt for that delivery endorsed by the provider or firm.