Ballot box to remain closed during poll

1 The manager of the polling place shall, before the opening of the poll, and in sight of any of the scrutineers present,— a see that the ballot box is empty; and 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. 2 Subject to subsection (3), the ballot box, after being sealed or locked in accordance with subsection (1), shall not again be opened until after the close of the poll. 3 If the ballot box becomes full and no other ballot box is available, the manager of the polling place , in sight of any of the scrutineers present, may open the ballot box and compress the papers in it. 4 Where a ballot box is opened pursuant to subsection (3), the manager of the polling place shall, after compressing the papers and in sight of any of the scrutineers present,— a close the ballot box; and b 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. 5 In this section, ballot box means a box in which ballot papers issued in accordance with section 167 are deposited. 1956 No 107 s 101; 1990 No 1 s 51 Section 163(1) : amended , on 28 February 2002 , by section 101(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1). Section 163(3) : amended , on 28 February 2002 , by section 101(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1). Section 163(4) : amended , on 28 February 2002 , by section 101(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1). Section 163(5) : inserted , on 11 March 2020 , by section 15 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 2).