# The Justices of the Peace Rules 2016, Article 12: Determining result of secret ballot

Extent: E+W

(1) Where there is a single vacancy, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast is elected.
(2) Where there is more than one vacancy, the requisite number of candidates (being the number equal to the number of vacancies) who have received the highest number of votes are elected.
(3) If—
(a) two or more candidates have received an equal number of votes for a vacancy (the “tied candidates”), and
(b) taking into account the election of any candidate who has received a higher number of votes than the tied candidates—
(i) the election of one or more of the tied candidates is necessary to make up the requisite number, but
(ii) the election of all of the tied candidates would exceed the requisite number,
the justices' legal adviser must decide between them by lot, and paragraph (4) applies.
(4) Where this paragraph applies, the candidate or candidates (as applicable) on whom the lot falls is elected.
(5) As soon as practicable after an election under this Rule, the justices' legal adviser must notify the candidates, as to—
(a) the result;
(b) the number of votes cast for each candidate, and
(c) where relevant, if a lot was required.
(6) As soon as practicable after notifying the candidates under paragraph (5), the justices' legal adviser must notify the eligible justices as to—
(a) the result;
(b) the number of votes cast for each candidate, and
(c) where relevant, if a lot was required.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/709/article/12 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/justices-of-the-peace-rules-2016/article-12
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.