The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2002

Postal ballot boxes and receptacles

16.—(1) The constituency returning officer shall provide a separate ballot box for the reception of–

(a) the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters (“postal voters' ballot box”); and

(b) postal ballot papers (“postal ballot box”).

(2) Each such ballot box shall be marked “postal voters' ballot box” or “postal ballot box”, as the case may be, and with the name of the constituency or electoral area for which the election is, or, as the case may be, the elections are, held.

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

(4) The constituency returning officer shall then lock the ballot box and apply his seal in such manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal; any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.

(5) The constituency returning officer shall provide the following receptacles–

(a) the receptacle for rejected votes;

(b) the receptacle for declarations of identity;

(c) the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes; and

(d) the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes.

(6) The constituency returning officer shall take proper precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this paragraph.