Every ballot paper shall be marked with an official mark, which shall perforate the ballot paper.

The official mark shall be kept secret, and an interval of not less than five years shall intervene between the use of the same official mark at an election (of whatever description) for the same county, county borough, district or London borough, as the case may be.

The official mark used for ballot papers issued for the purpose of voting by post shall not be used at the same election for ballot papers issued for the purpose of voting in person.