Paragraph 26 Equipment of polling stations
The CRO shall provide each presiding officer with such ballot boxes and ballot papers as in the CRO’s opinion may be necessary.
Every ballot box shall be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.
At an ordinary election, the GLRO shall determine whether the ballot papers relating to the GLA elections shall be placed—
all into the same ballot box; or
into separate ballot boxes for each of the GLA elections.
The CRO at an ordinary election may, if a determination has been made under paragraph (3) that ballot papers shall be placed into the same ballot box for all of the GLA elections, determine that the same ballot box be used for ballot papers at each other election or referendum with which the GLA elections are taken.
Where separate ballot boxes are to be used for the London Member election and a relevant election or referendum, each ballot box shall be clearly marked with—
the election or referendum to which it relates, as shown on the ballot papers for that election or referendum; and
the words “Place the [specify colour of ballot papers in question] ballot paper here”.
The CRO shall provide each polling station with—
materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers;
instruments for stamping on them the official mark;
copies of the register of electors for the constituency or such part of it as contains the names of the electors allotted to the station;
the parts of any special lists prepared for the election corresponding to the register of electors for the constituency or the part of it provided under sub-paragraph (c).
The CRO shall also provide each polling station with—
at least one large version of the ballot paper which shall be displayed inside the polling station for the assistance of voters who are partially sighted; and
a device for enabling voters who are blind or partially sighted to vote without any need for assistance from the presiding officer or any companion within the meaning of rule 37.
The large version of the ballot paper referred to in paragraph 7(a) above shall be of the same colour as that of the ballot paper at the election.
The device referred to in paragraph 7(b) above must—
allow a ballot paper to be inserted into and removed from, or attached to and detached from, the device, easily and without damage to the paper;
keep the ballot paper firmly in place during use; and
provide suitable means for the voter to—
identify the spaces on the ballot paper on which he may mark his vote;
identify the candidate to whom each such space refers; and
mark his vote on the space he has chosen.
Notices for the guidance of voters shall be exhibited—
outside every polling station,
inside every polling station, and
in every compartment of every polling station.
The CRO may also provide copies of the notice mentioned in paragraph (10) in Braille or translated into such languages other than English as he considers appropriate, provided that those notices are accurate reproductions in Braille or that other language of that notice.
A notice under paragraph (11) may be exhibited, at the discretion of the CRO, at any polling station—
outside the polling station;
inside the polling station;
in every compartment of the polling station.
Where there is an election for the return of the London members at an ordinary election, there shall be exhibited in the appropriate form inside each polling station a notice listing the candidates nominated by the registered political parties.