The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004

Valid security statements with matching ballot papers

43.—(1) Where the covering envelope contains both—

(a) a valid security statement, and

(b) a ballot paper envelope, or if there is no ballot paper envelope, a ballot paper (or ballot papers),

and the ballot numbers on the security statement and the ballot paper envelope (or in the case of a ballot paper envelope with a window, on the ballot paper visible through the window), or as the case may be, ballot paper, are the same, he shall place the security statement in the receptacle for security statements and the ballot paper envelope (if any) in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes.

(2) A valid security statement is one which—

(a) has a ballot number capable of being successfully scanned electronically;

(b) has been duly signed by the voter; and

(c) does not bear the same ballot number as that on a cancelled ballot paper.

(3) Where a ballot paper envelope opened under rule 42(2) contains a valid security statement, the counting officer shall—

(a) compare the ballot number on the security statement with the ballot number on the ballot paper envelope or, where there is no ballot number on the ballot paper envelope, with the ballot number on any ballot paper it contains, and

(b) if the ballot numbers are the same, place the security statement in the receptacle for security statements and the ballot paper envelope together with its contents in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes.

(4) Where it appears to the counting officer that the ballot number on a valid security statement is not the same as the ballot number on the ballot paper envelope (or in the case of a ballot paper envelope with a window, on a ballot paper showing through the window), or an envelope found within the covering envelope which is not a ballot paper envelope issued by the counting officer, he shall open such envelope and place—

(a) in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes, any ballot paper (with its envelope (if any)) which has the same ballot number as the security statement;

(b) in the receptacle for security statements, the valid security statement with the same ballot number as the ballot paper referred to in sub-paragraph (a);

(c) in the receptacle for rejected votes—

(i) any ballot paper which does not have the same ballot number as the security statement, having marked it “provisionally rejected”; and

(ii) any security statement in relation to which there is no ballot paper with the same ballot number, having marked it “provisionally rejected”; and

(d) in the receptacle for cancelled ballot papers, any cancelled ballot paper.