C1C3C4C2SCHEDULE 5THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING REFERENDUMS (COMBINATION OF POLLS) RULES
Sch. 5 modified (temp.) (31.10.2023) by The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1147), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 30(4)(5) (with Sch. 2 para. 27)
Sch. 5 modified (temp.) (31.10.2023) by The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1147), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 30(4)(5) (with Sch. 2 para. 27)
Sch. 5 modified (temp.) (31.10.2023) by The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1147), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 30(2)(3) (with Sch. 2 para. 27)
PART 4Action to be Taken Before the Poll
Equipment of polling stations18
1
The relevant returning or counting officer must provide each presiding officer with such number of ballot boxes and ballot papers as in the counting officer's opinion may be necessary.
2
The same ballot box may be used for the poll at the referendum and the poll at every relevant election, if the relevant returning or counting officer thinks fit.
3
Every ballot box must be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.
4
The relevant returning or counting officer must provide each polling station with—
a
materials to enable voters and proxies to mark the ballot papers;
b
copies of such part of the register of electors as contains the names of the voters who have the station allotted to them;
c
the parts of any special lists prepared for the referendum corresponding to the register of electors or the part of it provided under sub-paragraph (b);
d
a list, in the form set out in Form 5 in the Appendix or a form to like effect, consisting of that part of the list prepared under rule 8 which contains the numbers (but not the other unique identifying marks) corresponding to those on the ballot papers provided to the presiding officer of the polling station.
5
The reference in paragraph (3)(b) to the copies of the register of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act M1 in respect of alterations to the register.
F65A
The counting officer must also provide each polling station with a ballot paper refusal list, in the form set out in Form 11A in the Appendix or a form to like effect, on which entries are to be made as mentioned in rule 31A (refusal to deliver ballot paper).
6
The relevant returning or counting officer must also provide each polling station with—
a
at least one large version of each ballot paper which must be printed on the same colour paper as the corresponding ballot paper and displayed inside the polling station for the assistance of voters and proxies who are partially sighted; and
F3b
such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 27 (voting procedure), including in relation to voting secretly; and for this purpose “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in that manner because of—
i
blindness or partial sight, or
ii
another disability.
F46A
Paragraph (10) of rule 29 of Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act (Parliamentary elections rules: guidance to returning officers) applies for the purposes of paragraph (6)(b) of this rule as it applies for the purposes of that rule, but as if—
a
the reference in that paragraph to the returning officer were a reference to the relevant returning or counting officer, and
b
the reference in that paragraph to paragraph (3A)(b) were a reference to paragraph (6)(b) of this rule.
7
Where, notwithstanding paragraph (2), separate ballot boxes are to be used, each ballot box must be clearly marked—
a
as to the election or referendum to which it relates, as shown on the ballot papers for the election or referendum; and
b
with the words “Place the [specify colour of ballot papers in question] ballot papers here”.
8
A notice in the form set out in Form 12 in the Appendix, giving directions for the guidance of voters and proxies in voting, must be printed in conspicuous characters and exhibited inside and outside every polling station.
F78A
A large notice must be displayed inside each polling station containing—
a
details of the documents the voter or proxy needs to produce when applying for a ballot paper, namely—
i
in the case of a voter (other than a voter with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H) of Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act (parliamentary elections rules);
ii
in the case of a voter with an anonymous entry, the voter’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card; and
b
a statement that further proof of identity may be required to resolve any discrepancy between the name of the holder of a form of identification and the name of the voter or proxy that the voter or proxy claims to be.
9
The relevant returning or counting officer may also provide copies of the notice mentioned in paragraph (8) in Braille or translated into languages other than English as the counting officer considers appropriate, provided that these notices are accurate reproductions in Braille or that other language of that notice.
F8F2F110
In every compartment of every polling station there must be exhibited the notice—
F511
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Sch. 5 modified (temp.) (31.10.2023) by The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1147), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 30(2)(3) (with Sch. 2 para. 27)