69. Subject to rules 21, 27, 48, 68 and 70 where, for any reason, including damage to a polling station, the poll at any polling station cannot be taken or continued in accordance with section 10 the following provisions shall have effect:

(a) the local returning officer shall—

(i) forthwith give public notice to that effect,

(ii) inform the Minister and the returning officer, and

(iii) take all such steps and give all such directions as the local returning officer thinks proper for the holding or completion of the poll at such polling station,

(b) a fresh poll shall be held or the poll shall be continued, as may be appropriate, at such polling station on a day (not being later than seven days after the polling day) appointed for the purpose by the local returning officer,

(c) the provisions of this Act shall apply in respect of such fresh poll or the continued poll in like manner as they apply to the original poll, and

(d) the returning officer shall not commence to count the votes in the constituency until the fresh poll or the continued poll has been completed.