Paragraph 44 Rejected ballot papers

(1)

Any ballot paper—

(a)

which does not bear the official mark, or

(b)

on which votes are given for more than one party or individual candidate, or

(c)

on which anything is written or marked by which the voter can be identified except the printed number on the back, or

(d)

which is unmarked or void for uncertainty,

shall, subject to paragraph (2), be void and not counted.

(2)

A ballot paper on which the vote is marked—

(a)

elsewhere than in the proper place, or

(b)

otherwise than by means of a cross, or

(c)

by more than one mark,

shall not for such reason be void if an intention that the vote shall be for one only of the party or individual candidates clearly appears, and the way the paper is marked does not itself identify the voter and it is not shown that he can be identified by it.

(3)

The CRO shall endorse the word “rejected” on any ballot paper which under this rule is not to be counted, and shall add to the endorsement the words “rejection objected to” if any objection to his decision is made by a counting agent.

(4)

The CRO shall draw up a statement showing the number of ballot papers rejected under the several heads of—

(a)

want of an official mark;

(b)

voting for more than one party or individual candidate;

(c)

writing or mark by which the voter could be identified;

(d)

unmarked or void for uncertainty,

and shall, as soon as practicable after its completion, inform the GLRO of its contents.