The General Teaching Council (Scotland) Election Scheme 2001 Approval Order 2001

Article Thirteen – Powers of Returning Officer

(1) Any question arising with regard to the validity of a nomination or a ballot paper or otherwise in connection with any election shall be determined by the Returning Officer.

(2) No election shall be invalidated by reason of misdescription or non-compliance with the provisions of this Scheme, or by reason of any miscount or of the non-delivery, loss or miscarriage in the course of post, if the Returning Officer certifies in writing that the election was conducted substantially in accordance with the provisions of this Scheme and if the result of such misdescription, non-compliance, miscount, non-delivery, loss or miscarriage did not affect the result of the election, provided that any unsuccessful candidate or agent appointed by a candidate may within fourteen days after the declaration by the Returning Officer of the result of the election appeal to the Council against a certificate given by the Returning Officer under this sub-paragraph and the decision of the Council shall be final.

(3) The identification envelopes and ballot papers shall be destroyed by the Independent Scrutineer on the expiry of one calendar month from the date of the declaration of the election unless there shall have been an appeal as provided for under sub-paragraph (2) above, in which event the Council shall order the destruction of the said envelopes and ballot papers as soon as may be after the appeal is disposed of.