Part 8Preparation for an election or poll

Part 8—Preparation for an election or poll 29—Ballot papers (1) If an election is to be held for an office, a ballot paper showing the names of all candidates for election to that office must be prepared. (2) The names of the candidates in a particular election must be arranged on the ballot paper, one under the other, in an order determined by lot. (3) The drawing of lots for the purposes of subsection (2) must be conducted by the returning officer in the presence of 2 persons who are of or above the age of majority and other persons who wish to be present— (a) in the case of a periodic election—at the time determined by the returning officer on the day after the day of the close of nominations, which must be as soon as is reasonably practicable after 9 am on that day; or (b) in any other case—at 12 noon, or as soon as is reasonably practicable after 12 noon, on the day of the close of nominations. (4) A square must be placed to the left of each name appearing on the ballot paper. (5) A ballot paper must conform with other requirements prescribed by regulation. 30—Appointment of place for counting votes (1) The returning officer must appoint a place for the counting of votes for the purposes of an election. (2) The returning officer must, at least seven days before polling day, give public notice of the place for the counting of votes. (3) In cases of emergency, the returning officer may, without giving public notice under subsection (2), appoint a place for the counting of votes for the purposes of an election in substitution for, or in addition to, a place previously appointed by the returning officer. 31—Special arrangements for issue of voting papers (1) The returning officer may make arrangements for— (a) the delivery of voting papers (whether in printed or electronic form) to persons who reside at, or who attend, a specified institution, a specified part of an institution, or a specified place, and who are entitled to voting papers under this Act; and (b) the attendance of electoral officers at a specified institution, or a specified part of an institution, or a specified place, in order to assist persons in voting and to collect completed voting papers. (2) The returning officer must take reasonable steps to inform candidates and electors of any arrangements made under subsection (1). 32—Scrutineers (1) Each candidate may appoint one or more scrutineers for the purposes of an election. (2) A candidate in an election for the council (including a candidate who has already been declared elected) is not eligible for appointment as a scrutineer. (3) An appointment under this section is ineffective unless the candidate has given notice in writing to the returning officer of the appointment. 33—Ballot papers (1) A ballot paper for a poll must be designed to suit voting on the particular proposition to be submitted to electors. (2) The returning officer will be responsible for the design of the ballot paper after consultation with the council. (3) A ballot paper must conform with any requirement prescribed by regulation. 34—Appointment of a place for counting votes (1) The returning officer must appoint a place for the counting of votes for the purposes of a poll. (2) The returning officer must, at least seven days before polling day, give public notice of the place for the counting of votes. (3) In cases of emergency, the returning officer may, without giving public notice under subsection (2), appoint a place for the counting of votes for the purposes of a poll in substitution for, or in addition to, a place previously appointed by the returning officer. 35—Special arrangements for issue of voting papers The returning officer may make arrangements for— (a) the delivery of voting papers (whether in printed or electronic form) to persons who reside at, or who attend, a specified institution, or a specified part of an institution, or a specified place, and who are entitled to voting papers under this Act; and (b) the attendance of electoral officers at a specified institution, or a specified part of an institution, or at a specified place, in order to assist persons in voting and to collect completed voting papers. 36—Scrutineers The council may appoint suitable persons to act as scrutineers for the purposes of a poll.