SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 2Rules for conduct of an election of councillors for a principal area where poll is taken together with poll at a relevant election

PART 4Counting of Votes and Declaration of Result at Contested Elections

The count: generalI159

1

This rule applies where the returning officer has mixed the ballot papers under rule 55(10) or 57(4).

2

The result of the poll must be ascertained by counting the votes given to each candidate.

3

The candidate or candidates to whom more votes have been given than to the other candidates, up to the number of councillors to be elected, must be declared to have been elected.

4

Subject to paragraph (5) the returning officer must, so far as practicable, proceed continuously with the counting of votes, allowing only time for refreshment.

5

The returning officer may exclude any hours between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. on the following morning.

6

During any time that is excluded, the returning officer must—

a

place the ballot papers and other documents relating to the election under the returning officer’s seal and the seals of any principal area counting agents who wish to affix their seals, and

b

otherwise take proper precautions for the security of the ballot papers and other documents.