# The Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, Paragraph 17: Opening of ballot paper envelopes


(1) After sealing up the packets referred to in paragraph 16 the returning officer shall open separately each ballot paper envelope placed in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes.
(2) Where a ballot paper envelope does not contain a ballot paper, he shall mark the envelope “rejected”.
(3) Where the number on the ballot paper envelope agrees with the number on the ballot paper contained therein, he shall place the ballot paper in the ballot box referred to in paragraph 15(5).
(4) Where the number on the ballot paper envelope does not agree with the number on the ballot paper contained therein, he shall mark the ballot paper “rejected” and attach the ballot paper envelope thereto.
(5) He shall put into a separate packet the envelopes and the ballot papers marked “rejected” under the provisions of this paragraph and shall seal up such packet.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1985/454/schedule/2/paragraph/17 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/local-elections-northern-ireland-order-1985/schedule-2/paragraph-17
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.