Search Legislation

Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Retrieval of cancelled postal ballot papers

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

38(1)Where it appears to the counting officer that a cancelled postal ballot paper has been placed—

(a)in a postal voters box,

(b)in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes, or

(c)in a postal ballot box,

the counting officer must proceed as set out in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2)The counting officer must on the next occasion on which a postal voters box is opened in accordance with paragraph 33, also open any postal ballot box and the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes and—

(a)retrieve the cancelled postal ballot paper,

(b)show the ballot paper number on the cancelled postal ballot paper to the postal ballot agents,

(c)retrieve the postal voting statement that relates to a cancelled paper from the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure),

(d)attach any cancelled postal ballot paper to the postal voting statement to which it relates,

(e)place the cancelled documents in a separate packet and deal with that packet in the manner provided for in paragraph 27(7), and

(f)unless the postal ballot box has been opened for the purposes of the counting of votes under rule 30 of the conduct rules, seal the postal ballot box in the presence of the agents.

(3)Whilst retrieving a cancelled postal ballot paper in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), the counting officer and the counting officer’s staff—

(a)must keep the ballot papers face downwards and take proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the votes made on the ballot papers, and

(b)must not look at the corresponding number list used at the issue of postal ballot papers.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources