Article 7 Amendment of paragraph 17 (opening of covering envelopes)

after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A)

In carrying out the procedures in this paragraph and paragraphs 17A and 17B^f2, the returning officer—

(a)

must keep the ballot papers face downwards and must take proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the votes made on the ballot papers, and

(b)

is not permitted to view the corresponding number list used at the issue of postal ballot papers.”;

in sub-paragraph (5)^f3, after “to denote that a”, for “postal vote” substitute “postal voting document”.