18.—(1) No BID ballot, renewal ballot, alteration ballot or re ballot, as the case may be, shall be declared invalid by reason of any act or omission of the ballot holder or any other person in breach of the provisions of this Schedule, if it appears to a court considering the question that–
(a)the BID ballot, renewal ballot, alteration ballot or re ballot, as the case may be, was so conducted as to be substantially in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule; and
(b)the act or omission did not affect its result.
(2) A BID ballot, renewal ballot, alteration ballot or re ballot, as the case may be, unless proceedings are started in relation to it before the commencement date of the BID arrangements, renewed BID arrangements or altered BID arrangements (as the case may be), shall be deemed to have been to all intents a good and valid ballot.