(1)An organisation may apply to the returning officer for a local government election for permission for nominated members of the organisation to be observers at any of the following proceedings relating to the election—
(a)proceedings at the issue or receipt of postal ballot papers,
(b)proceedings at the poll,
(c)proceedings at the counting of votes.
(2)An application under subsection (1) must specify the names of the members who are nominated and such other information relating to them as is specified in the code of practice issued under section 11.
(3)If the returning officer grants the permission sought, the members of the organisation nominated in the application may attend and observe the proceedings referred to in subsection (1).
(4)But, in granting the permission sought, the returning officer may impose a limit on the number of observers nominated by the organisation who may attend proceedings or particular proceedings by virtue of this section at any one time.
(5)An application under subsection (1) must be made in the manner specified in the code of practice issued under section 11.
(6)If the returning officer refuses an application under subsection (1), the officer must at the same time give reasons for the refusal to the organisation.
(7)The returning officer may at any time revoke any permission granted under this section.
(8)If the returning officer revokes any such permission, the officer must—
(a)at the same time, give reasons for the revocation to the nominated member,
(b)as soon as practicable, give the reasons to the organisation.
(9)Reasons under subsection (6) or (8) must be given by the returning officer in the manner specified in the code of practice issued under section 11.
(10)The rights conferred by subsection (3) are subject to any enactment which regulates attendance at the proceedings in question.
Commencement Information
I1S. 9 wholly in force at 17.2.2007, see s. 63(2) and S.S.I. 2007/26, art. 3(1)(c) (with transitional provisions in art. 3(2))