# The Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, Paragraph 18: Abandoned poll


Where a poll is countermanded or abandoned after postal ballot papers have been issued, by reason of the death of a candidate, the returning officer—
(a) shall not take any step or further step to open covering envelopes or deal with their contents in accordance with the provisions of this Part, and
(b) shall, notwithstanding paragraphs 16 or 17, treat all unopened covering envelopes and the contents of those which have been opened as if they were counted ballot papers.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1985/454/schedule/2/paragraph/18 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/local-elections-northern-ireland-order-1985/schedule-2/paragraph-18
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.