(1) After the completion of counting, the Returning officer shall record in the result sheet in Form-23 the total number of votes polled by each candidate and announce the same.
(2) After such announcement has been made, a candidate or in his absence his election agent or any of his election agent may apply in writing to the Returning officer to recount the votes either wholly or in part stating the grounds on which they demand such recount.
(3) On such an application being made, the Returning officer shall decide the matter and may allow the application in whole or in part or may reject it in toto if it appears to him to be frivolous or unreasonable.
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(4) Every decision of the Returning officer under sub-rule (3) shall be in writing and contain the reason there for.
(5) If the Returning officer decides under sub-rule (3) to allow a recount of the votes either wholly or in part, he shall,-
(i) do the recounting in accordance with the rules applicable for counting;
(ii) amend the result sheet in Form-23 to the extent necessary after such recount;
and
(iii) announce the amendments so made by him.
(6) After the total of votes polled by each candidate has been announced under sub-rule (1) or sub-rule (5), the Returning officer shall complete and sign the result sheet in Form-23 and no application for recount shall be entertained thereafter:
Provided that, no step under this sub-rule shall be taken on the completion of the counting until, the candidate and election agents present at the completion thereof have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the right conferred by sub-rule (2).