Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020

Boxes and receptacles

31 (1) The counting officer must provide a separate box for the reception of—

(a) the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters, and

(b) postal ballot papers.

(2) Each such box must be marked “postal voters box” or “postal ballot box” (as the case may be) and with the name of the local government area.

(3) The postal ballot box must be shown as being empty to any postal ballot agents present on the occasion of opening the first postal voters box.

(4) The counting officer must then—

(a) lock the postal ballot box,

(b) apply the counting officer’s seal in such manner as to prevent the box being opened without breaking the seal, and

(c) allow any referendum agent or postal ballot agent present who wishes to affix the agent’s seal to do so.

(5) The counting officer must provide separate receptacles for—

(a) rejected votes,

(b) ballot paper envelopes,

(c) rejected ballot paper envelopes,

(d) rejected votes (verification procedure), and

(e) postal voting statements (verification procedure).

(6) The counting officer must take proper precautions for the safe custody of every box and receptacle referred to in this paragraph.