Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947

The Count.

30 Except with the consent of the returning officer, no person other than the returning officer, the persons appointed to assist him and the candidates and their counting agents may be present at the counting of the votes:

Provided that a candidate may be present only if he has made the declaration of secrecy required to be made by agents.

31 Before the returning officer proceeds to count the votes, he shall in the presence of the counting agents open each ballot box and, taking out the ballot papers therein, shall count and record the number thereof, checking the number against the ballot paper account, and then mix together the whole of the papers contained in the ballot boxes.

32 The returning officer, while counting and recording the number of ballot papers and counting the votes, shall keep the ballot papers with their faces upwards and take all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers printed on the back of the papers.

33 The returning officer shall so far as practicable proceed continuously with counting the votes, allowing only time for refreshment; but he may if he thinks fit and without the consent of any candidate or other person decide not to proceed with the counting of the votes until nine o'clock on the succeeding morning. During the period until he proceeds with the counting the returning officer shall take proper precautions for the safe custody and security of the ballot papers and other documents.