The General Optical Council (Membership) Order of Council 2001

20.—(1) Immediately after the polling day the Returning Officer shall cause the—

(i)withdrawing of the voting papers from the envelopes; and

(ii)counting of the votes validly cast for each candidate.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph a vote shall be deemed to have been validly cast if, but only if, it has been cast in accordance with paragraph 19.