Paragraph 50 Rejected ballot papers

(1)

Any ballot paper—

(a)

which does not bear the official mark,

F1(aa)

on which votes are given for more than one candidate,

(b)

on which anything is written or marked by which the voter can be identified except the printed number and other unique identifying mark on the back,

(c)

which is unmarked,

(d)

which is void for uncertainty,

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

(2)

A ballot paper F2on 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,

F3must not for such reason be void if an intention that the vote is for one only of the candidates clearly appears.

F4(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)

Where the electronic counting system identifies a ballot paper that has been marked, but which appears F5to be void then that ballot paper must be examined by a clerk appointed by the CRO in the manner referred to in paragraph (7).

F6(5)

If the clerk, having examined the ballot paper, considers that it is void then the CRO must examine it in the manner referred to in paragraph (7).

(6)

After the CRO examines the ballot paper he must give his decision as to whether or not it is void.

(7)

An examination under paragraph (4) or (5) is to be made by the clerk or CRO examining an image of the ballot paper which is shown on a screen so as to be visible to those attending the count.

(8)

The CRO may examine any ballot paper that he is not required to examine in accordance with paragraphs (5)—

(a)

either in the manner referred to in paragraph (7), or

(b)

by examining a paper copy,

and where the CRO does so, he must give a decision on that paper in accordance with paragraph (6),

(9)

No person attending the count is to be entitled to require the clerk or CRO to examine a ballot paper or to provide a paper copy for inspection.

(10)

A record of the CRO's decision under paragraph (6) must be retained in the electronic counting system together, in the case of a decision that the ballot F7paper is void, with his reasons by reference to paragraph (1).

F8(11)

If a counting agent objects to the CRO’s decision that the ballot paper is void the CRO must record on the electronic counting system that the decision was objected to.

F9(12)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(13)

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

(a)

want of an official mark,

(b)

voting for more than one candidate F10...,

(c)

writing or mark by which the voter could be identified,

(d)

unmarked F11..., and

(e)

void for uncertainty.

(14)

As soon as practicable after the completion of the statement under paragraph (13) the CRO must inform—

(a)

such candidates, election agents and counting agents as are present at the count, and

(b)

the GLRO,

of its contents.

F12(15)

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Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Sch. 3 rule 50(1)(aa) inserted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(a) (with rule 1(2))
F2: Words in Sch. 3 rule 50(2) substituted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(b)(i) (with rule 1(2))
F3: Words in Sch. 3 rule 50(2) substituted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(b)(ii) (with rule 1(2))
F4: Sch. 3 rule 50(3) omitted (30.11.2022) by virtue of The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(c) (with rule 1(2))
F5: Words in Sch. 3 rule 50(4) substituted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(d) (with rule 1(2))
F6: Sch. 3 rule 50(5)(6) substituted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(e) (with rule 1(2))
F7: Word in Sch. 3 rule 50(10) inserted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(f) (with rule 1(2))
F8: Sch. 3 rule 50(11) substituted (30.11.2022) by The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(g) (with rule 1(2))
F9: Sch. 3 rule 50(12) omitted (30.11.2022) by virtue of The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(h) (with rule 1(2))
F10: Words in Sch. 3 rule 50(13)(b) omitted (30.11.2022) by virtue of The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(i) (with rule 1(2))
F11: Words in Sch. 3 rule 50(13)(d) omitted (30.11.2022) by virtue of The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(i) (with rule 1(2))
F12: Sch. 3 rule 50(15) omitted (30.11.2022) by virtue of The Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1111), rules 1(1), 3(5)(j) (with rule 1(2))