The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004

Contingency delivery points

30.—(1) In the event of industrial action or other disruption that effects the conduct of the poll, the counting officer may provide contingency places for the delivery of ballot papers by hand (in these Rules referred to as “contingency delivery points”).

(2) Where there are combined polls, any contingency delivery point provided in the voting area for the combined polls shall be used for both referendums.

(3) The counting officer shall advertise the addresses and opening dates and times of the contingency delivery points by such means as he considers appropriate.

(4) The counting officer shall appoint at least one clerk to supervise at each contingency delivery point (in these Rules called the “supervising clerk”).

(5) The counting officer shall provide sufficient ballot boxes (delivery point ballot boxes) at every contingency delivery point to receive the ballot papers delivered there.

(6) The same delivery point ballot box shall be used at a contingency delivery point for the receipt of ballot papers at the combined polls.

(7) Every delivery point ballot box shall be so constructed that the ballot papers and security statements can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.

(8) Before they are delivered to a contingency delivery point, each delivery point ballot box to be used there shall be shown empty by the counting officer to at least one other person and shall be locked, where the box has a lock, and sealed by the counting officer in the presence of that person.

(9) The counting officer shall make such arrangements as may be necessary to ensure the security of the ballot box during delivery to the supervising clerk.

(10) It shall be the duty of a supervising clerk to—

(a) ensure each delivery point ballot box used for the receipt of ballot papers and security statements is placed in the supervising clerk’s view; and

(b) ensure the security of the delivery point ballot boxes at his contingency delivery point.

(11) As soon as practicable after the close of a contingency delivery point each day, the supervising clerk at the contingency delivery point shall deliver, or cause to be delivered to the counting officer, in accordance with arrangements for delivery approved by the counting officer, any delivery point ballot boxes in his custody at the contingency delivery point.

(12) Before he removes (or causes to be removed) any delivery point ballot box from a contingency delivery point, the supervising clerk shall seal the box unopened (but with the key, if any, attached), in such a manner as will prevent any further ballot papers being introduced into the box, with a seal provided by the counting officer, and the seal of such referendum agents present as desire to affix their seals.