19(1)Without prejudice to sections 20 to 22, no person may be present at the proceedings on the issue of postal ballot papers other than the counting officer and the counting officer's staff.S
(2)Without prejudice to sections 20 to 22, no person may be present at the proceedings on the receipt of postal ballot papers other than—
(a)the counting officer and the counting officer's staff,
(b)a referendum agent or any person appointed by a referendum agent to attend in such referendum agent's place,
(c)any agents appointed under sub-paragraph (3).
(3)Each referendum agent may appoint one or more agents to attend the proceedings on the receipt of the postal ballot papers (“postal ballot agents”).
(4)The number of postal ballot agents that may be appointed under sub-paragraph (3)—
(a)is to be determined by the counting officer, and
(b)is to be the same for each referendum agent.
(5)A referendum agent who appoints postal ballot agents must give the counting officer notice of the appointment no later than the time fixed for the opening of the postal voters box.
(6)If a postal ballot agent dies or becomes unable to perform the agent's functions, the referendum agent may appoint another agent and must give the counting officer notice of the new appointment as soon as practicable.
(7)A notice under sub-paragraph (5) or (6)—
(a)must be given in writing, and
(b)must give the names and addresses of the persons appointed.
(8)In this Part of this schedule, references to postal ballot agents are to agents appointed under sub-paragraph (3) or (6)—
(a)whose appointments have been duly made and notified, and
(b)who are within the number authorised by the counting officer.
(9)Where in this Part of this schedule anything is required or authorised to be done in the presence of postal ballot agents, the non-attendance of any agent or agents at the time and place appointed for the purpose does not invalidate the thing (if the thing is otherwise duly done).