Examining and sealing ballot boxes
17.—(1)  The presiding officer at an overseas polling station shall, immediately before the commencement of the poll at that overseas polling station, and in full view of the candidates or their polling agents who are present in the overseas polling station —
(a)show that each ballot box to be used at the commencement of the poll is empty;
(b)close the ballot box;
(c)ensure that the ballot box is sealed with the seals provided by the Returning Officer or locked in such a manner as to prevent it being opened without breaking the seal or lock; and
(d)place the sealed or locked ballot box on a table in full view of all present and ensure that the box remains there until the overseas polling station closes.
(2)  The ballot boxes, after being sealed or locked in accordance with paragraph (1), shall be kept in the view of the presiding officer of the overseas polling station for the receipt of ballot papers and shall not be opened again until after the close of the poll and in accordance with Part V.
(3)  Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply to every ballot box used during a poll at an overseas polling station and it shall be sufficient compliance with those paragraphs if a ballot box, other than a ballot box used at the commencement of a poll, is shown and sealed or locked in accordance with paragraph (1) before it is used.
(4)  Immediately after the ballot box is sealed or locked in accordance with paragraph (1), the Assistant Returning Officer shall call on the electors to vote.