Div 3Declaration of results in polls

Division 3—Declaration of results in polls 52—Provisional declarations When the result of the poll becomes apparent, the returning officer must make a provisional declaration of the result. 53—Recounts (1) At any time within 72 hours after the returning officer has made a provisional declaration, a scrutineer may, by notice in writing lodged with the returning officer, request a recount of the votes cast at the poll and, in the event of a request being made, the returning officer must cause a recount of votes to be made in accordance with the request unless the returning officer considers that there is no prospect that a recount would alter the result of the poll. (2) The returning officer may, on his or her own initiative, during the period of 72 hours referred to in subsection (1), decide to conduct a recount of any votes cast at the poll. 54—Declaration of results and certificate (1) If the period for requesting a recount for a poll expires without such a request having been made and the returning officer has not decided to initiate a recount, the returning officer must confirm the provisional declaration, and make out a return to the council certifying the result of the poll. (2) If a recount is made, the returning officer must, according to the result of the recount— (a) confirm the provisional declaration; or (b) revoke the provisional declaration and make a final declaration in accordance with the result of the recount, and make out a return to the council certifying the result of the poll accordingly. (3) The returning officer must within one month after the conclusion of the poll cause public notice to be given of the result of the poll.