News2 mins ago
Returning Ballot Papers
9 Answers
Hi
Could anyone advise me if it would be breaking the law to return a ballot paper sent out in future elections in protest about the way the Brexit vote has been just about disregarded. I know it could just be torn up but that wouldn't get the protest across to the government.(What's left of it).
Thanks
Steve
Could anyone advise me if it would be breaking the law to return a ballot paper sent out in future elections in protest about the way the Brexit vote has been just about disregarded. I know it could just be torn up but that wouldn't get the protest across to the government.(What's left of it).
Thanks
Steve
Answers
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"Ballot papers are not binned, theyre held by elected MPs."
Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 the Returning Officer, usually a senior official of the local council, has to ensure that all ballot papers, counterfoils and the polling clerks' marked copies of the electoral register are safely deposited with the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery (a senior officer of the Lord Chancellor's Department). This is so that if any corrupt or illegal election practices are reported the appropriate documents are available for inspection. All such documents are supposed to be officially sealed so that there is no chance of interference by any party and, according to the 1983 act, the seal can only be broken by the order of the High Court or Parliament itself.
In practice ballot papers are simply bundled-up into paper sacks and transported to a warehouse in Hayes, Middlesex, where they are stored for the statutory period of one year and one day.
Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 the Returning Officer, usually a senior official of the local council, has to ensure that all ballot papers, counterfoils and the polling clerks' marked copies of the electoral register are safely deposited with the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery (a senior officer of the Lord Chancellor's Department). This is so that if any corrupt or illegal election practices are reported the appropriate documents are available for inspection. All such documents are supposed to be officially sealed so that there is no chance of interference by any party and, according to the 1983 act, the seal can only be broken by the order of the High Court or Parliament itself.
In practice ballot papers are simply bundled-up into paper sacks and transported to a warehouse in Hayes, Middlesex, where they are stored for the statutory period of one year and one day.
yes it is lawful
I think you could even write your thoughts on the paper ( nothing obscene of course )
NJ has given you chapter and verse on this under the 1983 act BUT..... is it a ballot paper ? - I mean Mr Smith the returning officer, are you going to send it to him, and is he still a returning officer ? ( or was but is not now). - if he were still returning officer then he wouldnt have to be reappointed for the next election
this is what lawyers make their money over ....
bog paper is the best suggestion
but unfortunately the question wasnt - will my fingers slip thro if I use the ballot paper as bog .......
I think you could even write your thoughts on the paper ( nothing obscene of course )
NJ has given you chapter and verse on this under the 1983 act BUT..... is it a ballot paper ? - I mean Mr Smith the returning officer, are you going to send it to him, and is he still a returning officer ? ( or was but is not now). - if he were still returning officer then he wouldnt have to be reappointed for the next election
this is what lawyers make their money over ....
bog paper is the best suggestion
but unfortunately the question wasnt - will my fingers slip thro if I use the ballot paper as bog .......
1 to 9 of 9
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