Paragraph 23 Checking of lists kept under paragraph 22

Where the constituency returning officer receives a valid declaration of identity without the postal ballot paper (or papers or, as the case may be, all of the papers) to which it relates, he shall from time to time prior to the close of the poll, check the list kept under paragraph 22(2) above to see whether the number (or numbers) of a postal ballot paper to which the declaration relates is (or are) entered in that list.

Where the constituency returning officer receives a postal ballot paper without the declaration of identity relating to it, he may, at any time prior to the close of the poll, check the list kept under paragraph 22(3) above to see whether the number of that ballot paper is entered in that list.

The constituency returning officer shall conduct the checks required by sub paragraphs (1) and (2) above as soon as practicable after the receipt of packets from every polling station in the constituency or, as the case may be, electoral area under rule 52 of the Scottish Parliamentary Election Rules.

Where the ballot paper number in the list matches the number of a valid declaration of identity or, as the case may be, a postal ballot paper, the constituency returning officer shall retrieve the relevant declaration or paper.

The constituency returning officer shall then take the appropriate steps under this Schedule as though any document earlier marked “provisionally rejected” had not been so marked and shall amend the document accordingly.