23Recording of votes

23 Recording of votes

23 Recording of votes

(1) The returning officer must—

(a) give a ballot-paper to each elector, and

(b) mark off the roll the name of each elector to whom a ballot-paper is given, and

(c) keep a record of the number of ballot-papers issued.

(2) On receiving a ballot-paper, the elector must—

(a) at an unoccupied booth at the polling place, record the elector’s vote on the ballot-paper in accordance with the directions shown on it, and

(b) place the ballot-paper immediately in the ballot-box, and

(c) leave the polling place.

(3) If an elector, before his or her ballot is deposited in the ballot-box, satisfies the returning officer that the elector has spoilt the elector’s ballot-paper by mistake or accident, the elector may, on giving it up, receive a new ballot-paper from the returning officer. The returning officer must cancel and preserve the spoilt ballot-paper.