Electoral Act, 1998 (Act No. 73 of 1998)Chapter 6 : AdministrationPart 4 : Appointment of officers, additional persons and institutions, and their powers and duties77. Powers and duties of counting officers |
| (1) | The counting officer for a voting station or venue for the counting of votes must co-ordinate and supervise the counting of votes and the determination of the result of the election at the voting station or venue so as to ensure that the election at that voting station or venue is free and fair. |
| (2) | Section 73(2) to (5), adjusted as may contextually be necessary, applies to the powers and duties of a counting officer. |
| (3) | The deputy counting officer for a voting station or venue must act as the counting officer whenever— |
| (a) | the counting officer is absent from duty, or for any reason is temporarily unable to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the counting officer; or |
| (b) | the office of counting officer for that voting station or venue is vacant. |