SCHEDULE 2Rules for conduct of an election of councillors for a community where poll is taken together with poll at a relevant election
PART 7The Poll at Contested Elections
Action to be taken before the poll
Postal ballot papers
28.
(1)
The returning officer must, in accordance with regulations under the 1983 Act, issue to those entitled to vote by post—
(a)
a ballot paper,
(b)
a postal voting statement in the form set out in Appendix 4 or a form to the like effect, and
(c)
such envelopes for the return of the ballot paper and postal voting statement as may be prescribed by regulations under the 1983 Act.
(2)
The returning officer must also issue to those entitled to vote by post such information as the returning officer considers appropriate about how to obtain—
(a)
translations into languages other than English and Welsh of any directions to or guidance for voters sent with the ballot paper,
(b)
a translation into Braille of such directions or guidance,
(c)
graphical representations of such directions or guidance, and
(d)
the directions or guidance in any other form (including any audible form).
(3)
The postal voting statement must include provision—
(a)
for the form to be signed by the elector or, where the elector is voting by proxy, the proxy, unless the registration officer has dispensed with the requirement for a signature, and
(b)
for stating the date of birth of the elector or, where the elector is voting by proxy, the proxy.
(4)
In the case of a ballot paper issued to a person at an address in the United Kingdom, the returning officer must ensure that the return of the ballot paper and postal voting statement is free of charge to the voter.
(5)
Where the returning officer is not the co-ordinating returning officer, see also regulations 4 and 5 of the Combination of Polls Regulations (which provide for circumstances in which the functions of the returning officer under this rule are to be discharged by the co-ordinating returning officer).