N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-15-02
After the polls are closed, the inspector of elections and the judges immediately shall generate the canvass report from the voting system. The ballots counted by the machine must be equal in number with the names on the poll clerks' lists. If the numbers are not equal, the pollbooks are to be rechecked to find the discrepancy. The canvass must continue without adjournment until completed and must be open to the public. Ballots may not be removed to another location before the canvass report is generated after the ballot boxes have been opened. Except in unusual and compelling circumstances, the canvass shall occur at the polling place. If good and substantial reasons exist for the removal of the ballots and election records to another location for canvass, the removal must be approved by the election board. Upon approval of a change of location by the election board as provided in this section, the approximate time and location of the canvass must be prominently posted on the main entrance to the polling place, the ballots and records must be moved in the presence of the election board, and the canvass as provided in this chapter must proceed immediately upon arrival at the alternate location.
N.D.C.C. § 16.1-15-02