Schedule 2: Rules for conduct of the referendum
102.Schedule 2 sets out the rules governing the conduct of the referendum. Part 1 of the Schedule includes provisions for the action to be taken before and during the poll; the counting of the votes; the declaration of the result and the retention of and access to documents relating to the referendum. The provisions are modelled on the parliamentary election rules contained in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act with appropriate modifications made to reflect features specific to the referendum such as, for example, the creation of the role of Regional Counting Officer.
103.Part 2 of the Schedule sets out the forms to be used in the referendum including poll cards and the ballot paper. Rule 10 in Part 1 of this Schedule grants the Chief Counting Officer a power to modify the forms etc used by voters (except the ballot paper) for the purpose of making them easier for voters to use or understand. This power applies to forms 3 to 10, 12 and 14 in Part 2 of this Schedule.