Paragraph 23 Appointment of counting agents
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), each referendum agent may, before the commencement of the poll, appoint counting agents to attend at the counting of the votes at the referendum.
The counting officer may limit the number of counting agents, so however that—
the number shall be the same in the case of each referendum agent; and
the number allowed to a referendum agent shall not (except in special circumstances) be less than the number obtained by dividing the number of clerks employed on the counting by the number of referendum agents.
For the purposes of the calculations required by paragraph (2)(b), a counting agent who has been appointed for more than one referendum agent is a separate agent for each of the referendum agents by whom he has been appointed.
Notice in writing of the appointment, stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed, shall be given by the referendum agent to the counting officer and shall be so given not later than the fifth day before the date of the referendum.
If an agent dies, or becomes incapable of acting, the referendum agent may appoint another agent in his place, and shall forthwith give to the counting officer notice in writing of the name and address of the agent appointed.
In the following provisions of these Rules, references to counting agents shall be taken as references to agents—
whose appointments have been duly made and notified; and
where the number of agents is restricted, who are within the permitted numbers.
Any notice required to be given to a counting agent by the counting officer may be delivered at, or sent by post to, the address stated in the notice of appointment.
A referendum agent may do or assist in doing anything which a counting agent of his is authorised to do; and anything required or authorised by these Rules to be done in the presence of the counting agents may be done in the presence of a referendum agent instead of his counting agents.
Where by these Rules any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the counting agents, the non-attendance of any agent or agents at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.