(1)  A ballot paper is informal if –

(a) it is not authenticated by at least one of the following:

(i) the initials of the electoral officer who issues the ballot papers; or

(ii) the signature of that electoral officer; or

(iii) an approved mark; or

(b) there is no vote recorded on the ballot paper; or

(c) subject to subsection (3) , the vote is recorded on the ballot paper otherwise than in accordance with section 290 ; or

(d) there is on the ballot paper a mark or writing which identifies the elector who marked that ballot paper.

(2)  A ballot paper is not to be treated as informal or rejected at the counting of votes if, in the opinion of the returning officer or electoral officer in charge, the elector's intention is clearly indicated on the ballot paper.

(3)  If –

(a) an elector has marked on a ballot paper one or more numbers, representing a preference of the elector, that is, or are, higher than the highest number that the elector must, under section 290 , mark on the ballot paper; and

(b) one or more of the numbers, representing a preference of the voter, that is, or are, higher than the highest number that the elector must, under section 290 , mark on the ballot paper, is omitted or duplicated on the ballot paper; and

(c) the ballot paper would otherwise be formal –

the numbers that are omitted or duplicated, and the numbers that are higher than the first such omission or duplication, are to be disregarded and the ballot paper is to be treated as being a formal ballot paper.