(1) On the date and at the time and place mentioned in rule 28 the Returning Officer shall open the cover containing the ballot papers received by him under rule 23 before 5 p.m.
on the date fixed for return of ballot papers under rule 12 and take out and thereafter scrutinize the ballot papers taken out from the cover and separate the ballot papers which he deems valid from those which he rejects, endorsing on the letter the word rejected and the ground of rejection.
(2) The Returning Officer shall thereafter cause to be counted the valid votes given to each candidate as recorded on the ballot papers which he has not rejected.
(3) If the counting of votes be not completed by 6 p,m.
on the day appointed, the Returning Officer may adjourn, the proceedings until the following day at 10 a.m. and in such case shall place all the documents relating to the election, under his own seal and the seals of the candidates or their agents, if any are present and desire to affix their seals and shall otherwise take proper precautions for the security of the documents. The Returning Officer may in like manner adjourn the proceedings from day-today until the counting of the votes has been completed.
(4) After the counting is completed the Returning Officer may on his own motion or at the request of any candidate for whom, votes have been cast or his agent recount the votes.