Section 85, The Public Elections Act, 2012

(1) At the counting of votes a ballot paper– (a) which bears a number or mark or variation indicating that it was issued for use at a polling station other than that at which it was used to vote; (b) not bearing an official mark (if the mark has been prescribed by the Electoral Commission); (c) on which anything is written or marked by which the voter may be identified (other than a fingerprint); 44 45 Counting agents. Persons who may be present at counting of votes. Counting of votes. Void ballots. (d) on which is cast votes for more than one candidate; (e) which is unmarked or on which it is impossible to determine with certainty for which candidate the ballot was cast; or (f) which bears a number or mark or variation indicating that it was not issued by the Electoral Commission, shall not be counted. (2) Subject to subsection (1), the Counting Officer shall not reject but shall count a ballot paper on which there is a mark or writing by means of which a voter has clearly indicated his choice otherwise than by a cross or fingerprint on the ballot paper concerned. (3) Where in the opinion of the Counting Officer, a ballot box has been evidently tampered with before the completion of counting of votes, the ballot papers contained in that box shall not be counted.