§ 55. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what 14W advice he has given to the returning officers of cities, county boroughs and boroughs regarding the count of votes in a general election taking place during the late evening and night of polling day in view of the fact that the poll is to be open till 10 p.m. and ballot papers have to be checked against counterfoils in each polling district before the count can begin.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesReturning officers have been advised that it is for them to decide whether it is practicable to count the votes on the evening of polling day. The law does not permit ballot papers to be checked against counterfoils at any stage. I assume that the last part of the Question is intended to refer to the verification of ballot paper accounts, which must now take place before the count as between candidates instead of after it as previously.