Referendums Act 1983

The result of a referendum shall be ascertained by scrutiny and count of the votes in accordance with this Act.

The following provisions apply to the scrutiny and count of votes —

the scrutineers (if any) and officers may be present but no other person;

where the count is not commenced immediately after the close of the poll the scrutineers (if any) shall be informed in writing by the officer conducting the count as regards the time and place when and where the count will be commenced and conducted by him;

all the proceedings at the count shall be subject to the inspection of the scrutineers (if any);

all informal votes shall be marked “informal” and rejected and the number recorded;

the count may, from time to time, be adjourned as the officer conducting the count may deem necessary, until it has been duly completed;

each adjournment shall be announced to the scrutineers (if any) and officers by the officer conducting the count and the time and place for the continuation of the count shall be in a similar manner made known to them;

before each adjournment all ballot papers and other documents connected with the count shall be placed in one or more ballot boxes, and then —

the officer conducting the count shall in the presence of the scrutineers (if any) and officers, seal the ballot box or boxes with his official seal (if any) or with his private seal; and

any scrutineer who so desires shall be permitted by the officer conducting the count to place his special seal on the ballot box or boxes; and

the cleft of each ballot box shall be closed and sealed unless the ballot box is provided with an outer cover without a cleft;

before recommencing the count after an adjournment the seals mentioned in paragraph (g) shall be exhibited unbroken to the scrutineers (if any) and officers.

Where a referendum is held on the same day as an election any information given or announcement made in relation to the election pursuant to a provision of the Electoral Act 1907 corresponding to subsection (2)(b) or (f) shall have effect in relation to the referendum.