Paragraph 18 Postal ballot boxes and receptaclesI1

England and Wales

(1)

The returning officer must provide a separate ballot box for the reception of—

(a)

the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters (“postal voters’ ballot box”), and

(b)

postal ballot papers (“postal ballot box”).

(2)

The returning officer must mark—

(a)

the postal voters ballot box with the words “blwch pleidleisio pleidleiswyr drwy’r post” or the words “postal voters ballot box” or both,

(b)

the postal ballot box with the words “blwch pleidleisio drwy’r post” or the words “postal ballot box” or both, and

(c)

both boxes with the name of the constituency for which the election is, or elections are, held.

(3)

When the first postal voters’ ballot box is opened, the postal ballot box must be shown to the agents present so that they may see that it is empty.

(4)

The returning officer must then—

(a)

lock up the postal ballot box, if it has a lock, and

(b)

place the returning officer’s seal on it, in a way as to prevent it being opened without breaking the seal, and any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.

(5)

If it becomes necessary to use more than one postal ballot box, each additional postal ballot box used must be shown to the agents present so that they may see that it is empty, and the returning officer must then—

(a)

lock up the postal ballot box, if it has a lock, and

(b)

place the returning officer’s seal on it, in a way as to prevent it being opened without breaking the seal, and any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.

(6)

The returning officer must provide the following receptacles—

(a)

the receptacle for rejected votes,

(b)

the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes,

(c)

the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes,

(d)

the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure), and

(e)

the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure).

(7)

The returning officer must take proper precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this paragraph.

Annotations

Commencement

I1: Sch. 2 para. 18 in force at 18.7.2025, see art. 1(2)