Paragraph 18

After section 57^f1 (rules for conduct of elections) insert—

“Returning officers: correction of procedural errors

57A.

(1)

The returning officer at a local election may take such steps as the returning officer thinks appropriate to remedy any act or omission on the returning officer’s part, or on the part of a relevant person, which—

(a)

arises in connection with any function the returning officer or relevant person has in relation to the election; and

(b)

is not in accordance with the rules or any other requirements applicable to the election.

(2)

But a returning officer may not under subsection (1) re-count the votes given at an election after the result has been declared.

(3)

These are the relevant persons—

(a)

the registration officer;

(b)

a presiding officer;

(c)

a person providing goods or services to the returning officer;

(d)

a deputy of any person mentioned in paragraph (a) to (c) or a person appointed to assist, or in the course of that person’s employment assisting, such a person in connection with any function that person has in relation to the election.”.