56. (1) At every polling place the local returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the European electors entitled to vote there. Where, by reason of any difficulty, a polling station or a sufficient number of polling stations cannot be provided at the appointed polling place, the local returning officer may provide a polling station or polling stations at any other convenient place.

(2) The local returning officer shall, where practicable, provide polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users.

(3) The local returning officer shall allot the European electors to the polling stations in such manner as, in the local returning officer’s opinion, will be most convenient for them.

(4) The local returning officer shall give public notice of the location of polling stations in each polling place and the description of the European electors allotted to vote at each such place.

(5) The local returning officer shall, where practicable, give public notice of all polling stations which are inaccessible to wheelchair users not later than the eighth day before polling day.

(6) The local returning officer shall make adequate provision for the heating, lighting and cleaning of each polling station.

(7) The local returning officer shall provide at each polling station—

(a) such number of compartments in which the voters can mark their ballot papers screened from observation, as the local returning officer considers necessary,

(b) such furniture as the local returning officer considers necessary,

(c) a sufficient number of ballot boxes,

(d) such number of ballot papers as the local returning officer considers necessary,

(e) instruments for placing the official mark on ballot papers,

(f) copies of the register or such part thereof as contains the names of the European electors allotted to vote at the station,

(g) such materials as the local returning officer considers necessary to enable voters to mark their ballot papers,

(h) such other documents, forms, stationery and other materials as the local returning officer considers necessary,

(i) such other arrangements as may serve to facilitate the marking and placing in the ballot box of ballot papers by voters who are wheelchair users,

(j) such arrangements as may be provided for by regulations under section 94 (5) (j) of the Act of 1992 for the time being in force as may serve to facilitate voters with visual impairments to mark their ballot papers without assistance.

(8) The local returning officer shall keep a record of the numbers on the ballot papers provided at each polling station.