The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006

Equipment of polling stationsE+W

26.—(1) The returning officer must provide each presiding officer with such number of ballot boxes and ballot papers as in the returning officer's opinion may be necessary.

(2) The same ballot box may be used for the poll at the parish or community election and the poll at every relevant election or referendum, if the returning officer thinks fit.

(3) Every ballot box must be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.

(4) The returning officer must provide each polling station with—

(a)materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers;

(b)copies of the register of electors for the electoral area or such part of it as contains the names of the electors allotted to the station;

(c)the parts of any special lists prepared for the election corresponding to the register of electors for the electoral area or the part of it provided under sub-paragraph (b);

(d)a list consisting of that part of the list prepared under rule 17 which contains the numbers (but not the other unique identifying marks) corresponding to those on the ballot papers provided to the presiding officer of the polling station.

(5) The reference in paragraph (4)(b) to the copies of the register of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act M1 in respect of alterations to the register.

(6) The returning officer must also provide each polling station with—

(a)at least one large version of the ballot paper which must be printed on the same colour paper as the ballot papers and displayed inside the polling station for the assistance of voters who are partially sighted; and

(b)a device of such description as is set out in paragraph (11) for enabling voters who are blind or partially sighted to vote without any need for assistance from the presiding officer or any companion (within the meaning of rule 37(1)).

(7) Where notwithstanding paragraph (2) separate ballot boxes are to be used, each ballot box must be clearly marked with—

(a)the election or referendum to which it relates, as shown on the ballot papers for that election or referendum; and

(b)the words “Place the [specify colour of ballot papers in question] ballot papers in here”.

(8) A notice in the form in the Appendix, giving directions for the guidance of voters in voting, must be printed in conspicuous characters and exhibited inside and outside every polling station.

(9) The returning officer may also provide copies of the notice mentioned in paragraph (8) in Braille or translated into languages other than English as he considers appropriate, provided that these notices are accurate reproductions in Braille or that other language of that notice.

(10) In every compartment of every polling station there must be exhibited the notice— *PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION ([Specify colour] ballot paper) vote for ONE candidate only *EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION ([specify colour] ballot paper) vote for ONE party or individual candidate only *[specify name of council …..] COUNCIL ELECTION ([specify colour] ballot paper) *vote for no more than …. Candidates *vote for ONE candidate only *[specify other] ELECTION/REFERENDUM ([specify colour] ballot paper) *[vote for one candidate/answer only]/[vote ONCE for your first choice and ONCE for your second choice] PUT NO OTHER MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPERS, OR YOUR VOTE MAY NOT BE COUNTED *Complete or omit as necessary.

(11) The device referred to in paragraph (6)(b) must—

(a)allow a ballot paper to be inserted into and removed from, or attached to and detached from, the device easily and without damage to the paper;

(b)hold the ballot paper firmly in place during use; and

(c)provide suitable means for the voter to—

(i)identify the spaces on the ballot paper on which he may mark his vote;

(ii)identify the registered party or individual candidate to which each such space refers; and

(iii)mark his vote on the space he has chosen.