Agents who may attend proceedings on receipt of ballot papers
37.—(1) Each referendum agent at the referendum may appoint one or more agents to attend the proceedings on the receipt of ballot papers (“receipt agent”) up to the number he may be authorised by the counting officer to appoint; and the number so authorised shall be the same in the case of each referendum agent.
(2) Notice in writing of the appointment stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed as receipt agents shall be given by the referendum agent to the counting officer before the time fixed for the opening of the preliminary ballot box.
(3) If a receipt agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, the referendum agent may appoint another receipt agent in his place and shall forthwith give to the counting officer notice in writing of the name and address of the receipt agent appointed.
(4) In this Part references to agents shall be taken as references to agents whose appointments have been duly made and notified and, in the case of receipt agents appointed under paragraph (1), who are within the number authorised by the counting officer.
(5) A referendum agent may himself do any act or thing which any receipt agent of his would have been authorised to do, or may assist his receipt agent in doing any such act or thing.
(6) Where in this Part any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the referendum agents, the non-attendance of any such persons or person at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.