Evaluation of ballot papers

(1) A ballot paper on which the name of a candidate has been crossed out, changed or added is still valid. Such an amendment shall not be taken into account. Where an elector has marked on a ballot paper a preferential vote for more than four candidates, the ballot paper shall be counted for the political party or coalition, but it shall not be taken into account for preferential votes.

(2) A ballot paper is not valid if it is not printed on the prescribed form, or if it is for a political party or coalition pursuant to section 23(6). If an envelope contains more than one ballot paper for different political parties or coalitions, then all the ballot papers therein are invalid. If an envelope contains more than one ballot paper for the same political party or coalition, it shall be counted as a single vote; if preference votes were marked on more than one of these ballot papers, then only the preference votes on the ballot paper with the most such votes shall be taken into account; if all the ballot papers have the same number of preference votes and not for the same candidates, then such votes shall not be taken into account. 

(3) In the event of doubt over the validity of an envelope, ballot paper or preferential vote, the polling district commission shall have the final decision on its validity.