24Assistance to certain electors

24 Assistance to certain electors

24 Assistance to certain electors

(1) If an elector satisfies the returning officer that the elector’s sight is so impaired, or that the elector is so physically incapacitated, that the elector is unable to vote without assistance, the returning officer must permit a person appointed by the elector—

(a) to accompany the elector to an unoccupied booth, and

(b) to mark the ballot-paper according to the instructions of the elector, and

(c) to place the ballot-paper in the ballot-box.

(2) If the elector fails to appoint a person, or satisfies the returning officer that the elector is so illiterate that the elector is unable to vote without assistance, the returning officer must, in the presence of—

(a) any scrutineers who choose to be present, or

(b) if there are no scrutineers present, in the presence of any person whom the elector may appoint,

mark the ballot-paper according to the instructions of the elector and place it in the ballot-box.

(3) An elector’s instructions may be given by handing to the person marking the ballot-paper a “how-to-vote” card, or a printed or written statement indicating—

(a) the candidate for whom the elector desires to vote, or

(b) the candidates for whom the elector desires to vote and the order of the elector’s preferences for them.