Electoral Act, 1963

Duties of presiding officer at close of poll.

59.—The following Rule is hereby substituted for Rule 21 of the First Schedule to the Principal Act:

“21. The presiding officer shall, at the time fixed for the close of the poll, take steps to ensure that no further electors are admitted to the polling station and, subject to the proviso that an elector on the premises at that time shall be entitled to receive a ballot paper and to vote, the presiding officer at each polling station, as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, shall, in the presence of the personation agents of the candidates, seal each ballot box, unopened but with the key attached, so that no further papers can be inserted therein and make up into separate packets sealed with his seal—

(a) the unused and spoilt ballot papers, placed together,

(b) the marked copies of the register of electors, and

(c) the counterfoils of the ballot papers,

and shall deliver all such ballot boxes and packets to the local returning officer.”