Canada Elections Act

Marginal note:Initialling ballots

• 138 (1) Before a polling station opens on polling day, and in full view of the candidates or their representatives who are present at the polling station, an election officer who is assigned to the polling station shall initial the back of every ballot in the space indicated in Form 3 of Schedule 1, entirely in ink or entirely in black pencil so that when the ballot is folded the initials can be seen. The initials shall be as similar as possible on each ballot.

• Marginal note:Ballots not to be detached

  (2) For the purpose of initialling, the ballots shall not be detached from the books in which they are contained.

• Marginal note:Vote not to be delayed

  (3) The opening of a polling station shall not be delayed for the purpose of initialling the ballots. Ballots that are not initialled when the polling station opens shall be initialled as soon as possible and in all cases before being handed to electors.