sec.87Formal and informal ballot papers—first-past-the-post voting

### sec.87 Formal and informal ballot papers—first-past-the-post voting This section applies to an election if the system of voting is first-past-the-post voting. A ballot paper has effect as recording a vote in the election only if the ballot paper— is completed under section 84 ; and does not contain any writing or mark (other than as permitted by this Act) by which the elector can, in the returning officer’s opinion, be identified; and has been put into a ballot box as required by this Act. Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope, as required by this Act, the envelope must have been signed, and the signature witnessed, as required by section 72 . Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope as a postal vote— the ballot paper must be received by the returning officer no later than 10 days after polling day; and for an elector who made a signed application under section 79 or 81 to cast a postal vote in the election—the signature on the declaration envelope must match the elector’s signature on the application. A ballot paper that complies with section 84 must not be rejected merely because it indicates the elector’s intention to vote for a number of candidates greater than the number to be elected. A ballot paper that has effect to record a vote under this section is a formal ballot paper. A ballot paper that has no effect to record a vote under this section is an informal ballot paper. s 87 amd 2014 No. 44 s 67 (sec.87-ssec.1) This section applies to an election if the system of voting is first-past-the-post voting. (sec.87-ssec.2) A ballot paper has effect as recording a vote in the election only if the ballot paper— is completed under section 84 ; and does not contain any writing or mark (other than as permitted by this Act) by which the elector can, in the returning officer’s opinion, be identified; and has been put into a ballot box as required by this Act. (sec.87-ssec.3) Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope, as required by this Act, the envelope must have been signed, and the signature witnessed, as required by section 72 . (sec.87-ssec.4) Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope as a postal vote— the ballot paper must be received by the returning officer no later than 10 days after polling day; and for an elector who made a signed application under section 79 or 81 to cast a postal vote in the election—the signature on the declaration envelope must match the elector’s signature on the application. (sec.87-ssec.5) A ballot paper that complies with section 84 must not be rejected merely because it indicates the elector’s intention to vote for a number of candidates greater than the number to be elected. (sec.87-ssec.6) A ballot paper that has effect to record a vote under this section is a formal ballot paper. (sec.87-ssec.7) A ballot paper that has no effect to record a vote under this section is an informal ballot paper. - (a) is completed under section 84 ; and - (b) does not contain any writing or mark (other than as permitted by this Act) by which the elector can, in the returning officer’s opinion, be identified; and - (c) has been put into a ballot box as required by this Act. - (a) the ballot paper must be received by the returning officer no later than 10 days after polling day; and - (b) for an elector who made a signed application under section 79 or 81 to cast a postal vote in the election—the signature on the declaration envelope must match the elector’s signature on the application.