Article 2 Amendment of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007

In rule 70 of Schedule 2 to the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007^f1 (orders for production of documents and records) after paragraph (7) insert–

“(7A)

The Electoral Commission may require the production and opening of any sealed packet of ballot papers and of any sealed packet containing an electronic copy of information made pursuant to rule 68(1)(a), but only–

(a)

in connection with any review which they are conducting under section 6(2) of the 2000 Political Parties Act (whether instituted before or after the commencement of this sub-paragraph), and

(b)

if the request that they undertake that review includes a request that they examine ballot papers.

(7B)

In their scrutiny of any documents or records to which they have access by virtue of paragraph (7A) the Electoral Commission shall take care to ensure that the way in which a particular elector has given their vote is not ascertained and at the termination of their scrutiny the Electoral Commission shall reseal in their packets the documents and records, return them to the sheriff clerk and cause to be destroyed any copies made of the documents and records provided to them.”.