Once
the ballots are counted, a verification of the count is recommended.
This
verification usually takes place before the interim results are transmitted to
the local office of the electoral management body. This final verification is
important to make sure that no ballots have been introduced or removed that
would modify the results in favour of or against one candidate or party.
This
last verification should include a comparison with the reconciliation done
previously, before opening the ballot box. The total number of ballots for each
candidate or party, plus the rejected ballots, the unused
ballots, and the spoiled ballots should match with the total number of ballots
received at the opening of the voting station.
Where
envelopes are used, they should be recounted as well in order to match with the
number of voters who cast their ballots. If errors are detected, the count
sheet should be verified against count sheets of other counting officers. If
the error is still not found, then all the ballots counted per candidate or
party should be re-examined and recounted.
