Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We all accept the principle outlined by the Senator. However, I refer him to section 9(1) which deals with the opening of the poll. It reads:

Immediately before the commencement of the poll at an election or referendum, the presiding officer at each polling station, after ensuring that the lock on the machine referred to in section 8 has not been interfered with, shall operate the voting machine in his or her charge to demonstrate to such persons as are present in the polling station that no votes are cast or recorded on the machine.

Therefore, the presiding officer is required by section 9(1) to ensure the lock on the machine referred to is not being interfered with. The matter is to be confirmed in writing by the presiding officer on the form VM1. This procedural item will be reinforced if necessary in the guidelines to be issued under section 32 of the Bill and in the presiding officers' instruction book. Form VM1, which I can make available, states that presiding officers are asked to check, before the start of voting, the seal number on the side of the voting machine and the ballot module seal number to confirm both are intact. Acceptance of the amendment would result in duplication.