180Preservation of documents

180  Preservation of documents

 (1) In this section, electoral documents has the same meaning as in section 179.

 (2) The DRO for a *Division is responsible for the safe custody, in accordance with the directions of the Electoral Commissioner, of electoral documents used in the Division in connection with an election until the documents are destroyed.

 (3) An officer who conducts a *scrutiny must, after the completion of the scrutiny, parcel up and seal all electoral documents dealt with or used in the scrutiny.

 (4) Material removed from a parcel must:

 (a) be retained by the DRO; or

 (b) be dealt with according to the directions of the Electoral Commissioner.

 (5) When the purpose for which material was removed from a parcel has been satisfied, the DRO must:

 (a) as soon as practicable, replace the material in the parcel and refasten and reseal the parcel; and

 (b) write on the covering of the parcel a notation indicating that the parcel has been opened by the DRO and specifying the purpose for which it was opened.

 (6) A DRO who opens a parcel must not mark or alter, or permit any other person to mark or alter, a document removed from the parcel.

 (7) Subject to Part 11, the Electoral Commissioner may direct that electoral documents be destroyed if:

 (a) not less than 6 months have elapsed since the date fixed under section 14 for the notification of the election results of the election in which the documents were used; and

 (b) the documents are no longer required by the Electoral Commission for the performance of its functions.