Clause 6

by deleting subsection (2) and substituting the following subsections:“(2) Each candidate may appoint not more than one counting agent to attend the counting of votes at each counting place specified in the direction made under section 31A(1).(2A) The Returning Officer shall make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of such of the candidates and their counting agents as attend as soon as practicable —

where only one counting place is specified in a direction made under section 31A(1) — after he has received all the ballot boxes used during the poll; or

where more than one counting place is specified in a direction made under section 31A(1) —

after the procedure in section 31 has been complied with at the close of the poll if the polling station is a counting place; or

after he has received at that counting place all the ballot boxes containing the votes cast at such polling station or stations specified in the direction in relation to that counting place.”;

by deleting the words “When the counting of the votes has been completed, the Returning Officer shall” in subsection (8) and substituting the words “Where only one counting place is specified in a direction made under section 31A(1), the Returning Officer shall, when the counting of votes has been completed,”;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (8), the following subsections:“(8A) Where more than one counting place is specified in a direction made under section 31A(1), the Returning Officer shall, immediately after the completion of the counting of the votes or, where any candidate or his counting agent applies to the Returning Officer for a recount, the recounting of the votes, at each counting place —

announce to the candidates or their counting agents as attend the number of votes given to each candidate;

prepare a record (referred to in this Act as the record of counting) in a prescribed form containing the number of votes given to each candidate and other results of the counting of votes at his counting place, and that record shall be certified by the Returning Officer and signed by such of the candidates or their counting agents as attend and desire to sign their names;

transmit to the principal counting place, by any means available, the results of the counting of votes at his counting place;

seal up in separate packets the ballot papers and all other documents at the counting place relating to the election, and, except for the sealed packet containing the record of counting, place them in a ballot box which shall then be sealed with his seal and with the seals of such of the candidates or their counting agents as attend and desire to affix their seals; and all ballot papers and documents in the ballot box shall be deemed to be sealed in pursuance of subsection (10); and

despatch or deliver the ballot box, together with the sealed packet containing the record of counting, in safe custody to the principal counting place.(8B) Except with the sanction of the Returning Officer, no person other than —

the Returning Officer and such other officers and staff appointed by him to assist him in adding the votes cast for each candidate at the counting places and ascertaining the total number of votes given to each candidate at the poll; and

the candidates and their election agents,may be present at the principal counting place during the addition of the votes.(8C) At the principal counting place, the Returning Officer shall, upon receipt of the results of the counting of votes at all counting places, ascertain the total number of votes given to each candidate at the poll by adding up the number of votes recorded for each candidate in the said results.(8D) When the Returning Officer has ascertained the total number of votes given to each candidate under subsection (8C), he shall forthwith declare as having been elected the candidate to whom the greatest total number of votes is given.”;

by deleting the words “Upon the completion of the counting and after the result has been declared by him, the Returning Officer shall seal up the ballot papers and all other” in subsection (10) and substituting the words “After the result has been declared by him under subsection (8) or (8D), the Returning Officer shall seal all”; and

by deleting the words “A Judge of the Supreme Court” in subsection (11) and substituting the words “An Election Judge”.