SCHEDULE 2ISSUE AND RECEIPT OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS

PART 3Receipt of Postal Ballot Papers

Postal ballot boxes and receptacles14

1

The counting officer must provide a separate ballot box for the reception of—

a

the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters (“postal voters’ ballot box”); and

b

postal ballot papers (“postal ballot box”).

2

Each such ballot box must be marked “postal voters’ ballot box” or “postal ballot box”, as the case may be, and with the name of the voting area.

3

The postal ballot box must be shown to the agents present on the occasion of opening the first postal voters’ ballot box as being empty.

4

The counting officer must then apply the counting officer’s seal to the postal ballot box in such manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal; any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.

5

The counting officer must provide the following receptacles—

a

the receptacle for rejected votes;

b

the receptacle for postal voting statements;

c

the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes;

d

the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes;

e

the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure); and

f

the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure).

6

The counting officer must take reasonable precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this paragraph.