Appointment of counting observersE+W
18.—(1) The counting officer must appoint persons to observe the counting of the votes and the verification of the ballot paper account (“counting observers”).
(2) Where the counting officer is not the relevant returning or counting officer, he or she must give notice in writing of the appointments of counting observers to that officer as soon as is practicable following the appointment.
(3) In the following provisions of these Rules references to counting observers shall be taken as references to counting observers whose appointments have been duly made.
(4) Where by these Rules any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the counting observers, the non-attendance of any such person at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.