Paragraph 45 First stage
(1)
The returning officer shall sort the valid ballot papers into parcels according to the candidates for whom first preference votes are given.
(2)
The returning officer shall then–
(a)
count the number of ballot papers in each parcel;
(b)
credit the candidate receiving the first preference vote with one vote for each ballot paper; and
(c)
record those numbers.
(3)
The returning officer shall also ascertain and record the total number of valid ballot papers.