§ 49. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list the causes for which the absolute secrecy of the ballot at a general election may lawfully be breached.
§ Mr. JohnRule 57 of the parliamentary election rules in schedule 2 to the Representation of the People Act 1949 provides that ballot papers may be inspected after an election only by order246W of this House or by order of a court in connection with legal proceedings for an offence in relation to ballot papers or for the purpose of an election petition. In carrying out such an order, care must be taken to ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is not breached until a competent court has decided that a particular elector's vote was invalid.