s 24 Ballot boxes
24.—(1) Every ballot box must be so constructed that the ballot papers can be introduced into the box after it has been sealed or locked but cannot be withdrawn from the box unless the seal or lock is broken. (2) The presiding officer at a polling station must, immediately before the commencement of the poll, and in the sight of such person as may be present in the polling station —(a) show that each ballot box to be used at the commencement of the poll is empty; (b) close the ballot box; and (c) ensure that the ballot box is sealed or locked in such a manner as to prevent it being opened without breaking the seal or lock. (3) The ballot boxes, after being sealed or locked in accordance with subsection (2), must be kept in the view of the presiding officer of the polling station for the receipt of ballot papers and must not be opened again until after the close of the poll. (4) Subsections (2) and (3) apply to every ballot box used during a poll and it is sufficient compliance with those subsections if a ballot box, other than a ballot box used at the commencement of a poll, is shown and sealed or locked in accordance with subsection (2) before it is used.