(1) A candidate or his election agent may subject to such general or special directions the Election Commission may issue in this behalf from time to time appoint counting agents to remain present on his behalf at the time of counting of ballot papers.
(2) The number of counting agents that a candidate may appoint under the above sub-rule shall not exceed the number of counting tables including that of the returning officer.
(3) Every appointment of a counting agent shall be made in Form 19 in duplicate, one copy of which shall be forwarded to the returning officer while the other copy shall be made over to the counting agent for production before the returning officer not later than one hour before the [time fixed for commencement of counting under these rules].
(4) No counting agent shall be admitted into the place fixed for counting unless he has delivered to the returning officer the second copy of his appointment under sub-rule (2) after duly completing and signing the declaration contained therein and receiving from the returning officer an authority for entry into the place fixed for counting.
(5) The revocation of appointment of a counting agent made under sub-rule (1) shall be made in Form 20 and lodged with the returning officer.
(6) In the event of any such revocation before the commencement of the counting of votes, the candidate or his election agent may make a fresh appointment in accordance with sub-rule (2).