87.5(1)For the purpose of counting special ballots, a returning officer shall designate one special ballot officer as a deputy returning officer and one special ballot officer as a poll clerk.

87.5(2)Immediately following the close of the ordinary poll and in the presence of the returning officer and the candidates and their agents who may attend, the special ballots shall be counted at the office of the returning officer by the special ballot officers and they shall take all other proceedings provided by this Act for deputy returning officers and poll clerks in connection with the conduct of an election after the close of the ordinary poll, except that the statements and other documents required by this Act to be made and to be written in or attached to the poll book shall be made in the special ballot poll book.

87.5(3)The special ballot officers shall count and record the special ballots for each electoral district separately and shall notify the returning officer for each electoral district for which they have special ballots of the number of votes for each candidate in that electoral district.

87.5(4)For the purpose of counting special ballots, a special ballot shall not be rejected if the intent of the elector is clear, notwithstanding that the name of the candidate written on the special ballot does not appear exactly as it is set out in the candidate’s nomination paper.