(1) On the date appointed for the counting of votes the voting paper covers other than these rejected under rule 18 shall be opened and the voting papers taken cut and mixed together,
(2) The voting papers shall them be scrutinized and the valid votes counted.
(3) Any candidate may be present in person or may send a representative duly authorized by him, in writing, to watch the process of counting.
(4) A voting paper shall be invalid if-
(a) it does not bear the Returning Officer's initials or facsimile signature; or
(b) a voter signs his name on the voting paper, or writes any word on it, or makes a mark on it by which it become recognizable as his voting paper; or
(c) No vote is recorded there on; or
(d) It is valid for uncertainty of the vote recorded; or
(e) the number of votes recorded there on exceeds the number to be elected; or
(f) the recording of the vote has been done at a place other than that provided for the purpose.
(5) The Returning Officer shall show the voting papers to the candidates or their authorized representatives at the time of scrutiny and containing of votes, if so requested.
(6) If any candidates or his representative makes an objection to the acceptance of a voting paper on the ground that it does not comply with the specified requirements, or to the rejections of voting a paper by the Returning Officer, it shall be decided at once by the Returning Officer whose decision there on shall be final.
(7) The Returning Officer shall nominate such number of scrutinisers as he deems fit in accordance with such directions as may be issued in his behalf by the Stated Government.