(2) If the number of duly nominated candidates in respect of any one area exceeds 1, the Returning Officer shall cause ballot papers and identification envelopes to be prepared. Ballot papers shall contain the names, addresses and registered qualification or qualifications of all the persons who have been nominated and whose names have not been expunged from the list and shall state the last day on which ballot papers may be received, and the place to which they are to be returned. The identification envelope shall bear a declaration of identity.
Ballot papers and identification envelopes shall be, as nearly as may be, in the forms marked D and E in the Appendix to this Scheme.
(3) The Returning Officer shall, 21 clear days at least before the last day fixed for the receipt of ballot papers, cause a ballot paper to be forwarded by post to each person qualified to vote in the election at her registered address, together with an identification envelope. Each elector shall be entitled to receive 1 ballot paper and 1 identification envelope, and no more, and votes shall not be given except upon the ballot papers provided by the Returning Officer.
(4) Each elector shall mark the ballot paper delivered to her with a X against the name or names of the person or persons (not exceeding the number of persons to be elected), for whom she votes, and shall place her ballot paper in the identification envelope, and securely fasten the same. The elector shall sign the declaration printed on the said envelope, place it inside a covering envelope, and send it by post or otherwise to the Returning Officer at the above-named address. Every ballot paper in respect of which any requirement of this Scheme has not been complied with, or on which the elector has placed any mark whereby she may be afterwards identified, or which is not received by the Returning Officer before 12 noon on the last day fixed for the receipt of ballot papers, shall be invalid.
(5) The Returning Officer, immediately after the last day fixed for the receipt of ballot papers, shall cause the validity of the votes to be ascertained by an examination of the identification envelopes and by such other evidence, if any, as he may think necessary, and shall cause such of the identification envelopes as are found to be valid to be opened, and the ballot papers withdrawn , and placed in a ballot box. When all the ballot papers have been transferred to the ballot box they shall be examined and counted, and the number of valid votes given for each candidate shall be ascertained. Any candidate, or agent appointed by her in writing to represent her, may be present during the examination of the identification envelopes and the counting of the ballot papers and accordingly the Returning Officer shall notify each candidate at the time and place of the examination and counting.
(6) In each of the 15 areas, the candidate having the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected for that area by the Returning Officer. If an equality of votes is found to exist between any of the candidates in any one of the areas and the addition of a vote would entitle any of such candidates to be declared elected, the Returning Officer shall determine by lot which of the candidates whose votes are equal shall be declared elected.
7. The foregoing provisions with regard to the conduct of the election of registered general nurses shall apply with the necessary modifications to the election of registered mental nurses and registered sick children's nurses.
8. Any question arising with regard to the validity of a nomination or ballot paper, or otherwise in connection with any election held under this Scheme, shall be determined by the Returning Officer.
