Voting papers, etc., to be sent under seal to Chief Elections Officer

Each Returning Officer shall, as soon as may be, after making the return in the last preceding regulation mentioned make up into one parcel the voting papers, marked copies of the register of electors and other papers used at the polling stations and in his possession and shall seal the said parcel so that the parcel cannot be opened without breaking the seals. The Returning Officer shall send the parcel containing the voting papers, marked copies of the register of electors and other papers to the Chief Elections Officer who shall keep the parcel sent to him in safe custody and shall allow no person to have access thereto, provided that– (a) when an election petition has been presented questioning the validity of any election or return the Chief Elections Officer shall, on an order of the Supreme Court, deliver to the proper officer of that court, the papers in his possession relating to the election that is in dispute; and (b) after the expiration of twelve months from the date of any election the Chief Elections Officer shall burn the papers used at that election. 87