(a) Each board of elections shall, after the time specified in subsection (a) of section 665 hereof, remove all absentee ballots from the file referred to in subsection (a) of section 666 hereof, remove the ballot envelope from the affidavit envelope and place such ballot envelope in a locked ballot box. After all absentee ballot envelopes have been placed in the ballot box, the box shall be opened and the ballots removed from the ballot envelopes and counted. The board of elections shall announce and add the total number thereof to the election returns, according to polling districts.
(b) The watchers authorized for general elections by section 552 of this title may, in the manner provided by that section, be present at any count of absentee ballots under this chapter.