Postal ballot boxes and receptacles
14.—(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.