16. A ballot paper shall be invalid if—
(i) there is upon it any name, word or mark, other than the official number, by which the person voting may be identified; or
(ii) it does not contain the initials of the Presiding Officer; or
(iii)it does not contain a cross; or
(iv) a cross is placed against the names of two or more candidates; or
(v) there is any uncertainty as to the identity of the candidate against whose name the cross is placed.
17. After the close of the poll each Presiding Officer shall, in the presence of such of the candidates or their authorized representatives as may desire to be present, open and empty the ballot boxes and examine the ballot papers therein, rejecting any which are invalid, count the number of votes recorded for each candidate on the valid ballot papers, and communicate the number of the votes so recorded to the Chief Election Commissioner.
18. If there are only two candidates, the candidate who has obtained the larger number of votes shall be declared by the Chief Election Commissioner to be elected.
19. If there are three or more candidates, and one of those candidates has obtained a large number of votes than the aggregate number of votes obtained by the remaining candidates, he shall be declared by the Chief Election Commissioner to be elected.
20. It there are three or more candidates, and the last preceding paragraph does not apply a further poll shall be held in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Schedule at which the candidate who obtained the smallest number of votes at the previous poll shall be excluded.
21. The three last preceding paragraphs shall apply in relation to the further poll and any subsequent poll which may be necessary under the provisions of these paragraphs.
22. Where at any poll any two or more candidates obtained an equal number of votes, then-
(a) for if there are only two candidates for election, or
23. When, after any poll, the counting of the votes has been completed, and the result of the voting determined, the Chief Election Commissioner shall forthwith announce the result to those present, and shall report the result to the Federal Government, who shall forthwith cause the result to be declared by a public notification.
24. The Chief Election Commissioner may, by public notification, with the approval of the President make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Schedule.
