32.—(1) At a Scottish parliamentary election the CRO may use, free of charge, for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes—
(a)a room in a school to which this rule applies;
(b)a room the expense of maintaining which is payable out of local authority funds.
(2) This rule applies to a school other than an independent school within the meaning given in section 135 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980(1) (interpretation).
(3) The CRO shall make good any damage done to, and defray any expense incurred by the persons having control over, any such room as mentioned above by reason of its being used for the purpose of taking the poll or, as the case may be, counting the votes.
(4) The use of a room in an unoccupied building for that purpose does not render a person liable to pay any council tax or non-domestic rates.
1980 c.44. The definition of “independent school” in section 135 was amended by the School Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 12), section 3 and the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 (asp 6), schedule 2, paragraph 3(9).