|
total countries/territories: 225
|
|---|
| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
|
Afghanistan
|
b. The polling centre
|
Vote counting shall be carried out by the polling station’s staff under the supervision of the station’s chairperson soon after polling comes to an end.
The chairperson, in accordance with the procedures approved by the Commission, is responsible for the counting station and correct implementation of the counting process. This method is to be used unless the commission adopts another approach considering the security, technical challenges or weather conditions.
Source:
Electoral Law of Afghanistan, art. 52(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/AF/afghanistan-election-law-2014-english/view (2014).
|
2019/09/24
|
|
Albania
|
b. The polling centre
|
Source:
The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania, dated 2 April 2015, art. 116
|
2017/05/18
|
|
Algeria
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral law (Loi organique n° 12-01 du 18 Safar 1433 correspondant au 12 janvier 2012 relative au régime électoral), art. 48: https://www.joradp.dz/hfr/consti.htm
|
2019/09/25
|
|
American Samoa
|
a. The polling stations
|
The legislation allows for the initial count to be undertaken in a central polling place, but traditionally this first count occurs at the local polling stations.
Source:
American Samoa Code Annotated, Title 6 (6.0802)
|
2017/08/18
|
|
Andorra
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral law: 28/2007 - "Llei qualificada del règim electoral i del referèndum", art. 41: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/AD/andorra-electoral-law-2007/
|
2023/06/09
|
|
Angola
|
a. The polling stations
|
After the close of the poll the presiding official of the table reconciles, counts and records the votes in the presence of the other officials, the party and candidate agents and election observers.
Source:
Electoral Law n.º 36/11 of 21 December 2011 regulating General Elections, art. 120, 121: http://www.tribunalconstitucional.ao/uploads/%7Bc46fa0b3-c947-4440-ae92-5f1a3a275d8a%7D.pdf (2017)
|
2017/03/29
|
|
Anguilla
|
d. Other
|
Article 55
(2) The ballot boxes, poll book, envelopes containing the spoiled and unused ballot papers, official list of voters and other documents used at the poll shall be transmitted to the place notified for the counting of the votes or delivered to the Returning Officer.
(3) The Returning Officer may specially appoint one or more persons for the purpose of collecting the ballot boxes and ballot papers from a given number of polling stations, and that person or persons shall, on delivering the ballot boxes and papers to the Returning Officer, take the oath or affirmation in Form 20.
(4) The presiding officer shall, with the ballot boxes and papers, transmit or deliver to the Returning Officer, the keys of the ballot boxes in the envelope provided for that purpose.
Article 56,
(2) After all the ballot boxes have been received, they shall be opened by the Returning Officer for the count of votes—
(a) in the presence of the candidates or their agents;
(b) if any candidate or agent is absent, in the presence of the candidates or agents who are present; or
(c) if none of the candidates is represented by an agent, in the presence of at least 2 voters.
Source:
Electoral Act (2008), Articles 55 and 56
|
2015/02/27
|
|
Antigua and Barbuda
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Representation of the People Act Amendment 2002, art. 55-56
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AG/antigua-and-barbuda-amendment-to-the-1/view
|
2014/06/06
|
|
Argentina
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral Nacional — Ley 19945”, art. 101: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-19945-codigo-electoral-nacional-2019/ (2019)
|
2021/12/26
|
|
Armenia
|
a. The polling stations
|
The precinct electoral commission shall start its session of summarizing the voting results in the presence of the persons entitled to be present in the commission session.
Source:
Electoral Code of 26 May 2011, art. 67: http://res.elections.am/images/doc/_ecode.pdf (2013).
|
2015/12/01
|
|
Aruba
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Mr. Hubert Maduro, President, Electoral Council of Aruba
|
2017/07/07
|
|
Australia
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of the votes, known as the scrutiny, begins on polling day as soon as the last voter has voted. Only ordinary votes are counted on election night. The first preference results are tabulated and phoned through to the Divisional Returning Officer (DRO), along with the number of informal votes.
Source:
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (amended in 2019) Section 265: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00103/f85985f8-e256-4e11-ad31-884ed7f92224
|
2024/09/09
|
|
Austria
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Federal Law on the Election of the National Council (1992), Art. 84
|
2012/05/29
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan including 2024 amendments, article 106: https://msk.gov.az/uploads/qanunvericilik/Election-Code-2024.pdf
|
2024/11/12
|
|
Bahamas
|
a. The polling stations
|
The ballots are counted by the presiding officer at the polling station where they were casted.
Source:
Electoral Law, Art. 65
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BS/bahamas-parliamentary-elections-act-2012/view (2017)
|
2017/03/27
|
|
Bahrain
|
a. The polling stations
|
When the designated time for voting ends the chairman of every sub-committee will announce the end of the voting process after making sure every voter listed has cast his ballot, and register it in a report to be signed by the chairman and the general secretary so the committee can then begin the ballot counting at the polling station.
Source:
Decree No. 14 of 2002 on Exercising Political Rights, art. 24: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/BH/bahrain-law-by-decree-on-exercising-political/view
|
2024/11/25
|
|
Bangladesh
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
S. M. Asaduzzaman; Public Relations Officer; Bangladesh Election Commission. Email: [email protected]
Representation of the People Order, Art.36(4)
|
2012/05/30
|
|
Barbados
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
Representation of the People's Act, Ch.12, Second Schedule Part III, Section 35-37.
|
2009/08/21
|
|
Belarus
|
a. The polling stations
|
Opening of the ballot boxes and counting of votes when holding the elections carried out in the following order: first the ballots kept in the ballot box used during early voting shall be counted, then those kept in portable boxes used for voting at the place of location of voters or participants in the referendum and, after that, in ballot boxes kept on the day of elections or referendum in the room of the voting precinct. The results of counting of votes are announced by the chairperson of the commission.
Counting of votes of the voters shall be performed directly by the members of the precinct commission without interruption till obtaining the results of the voting.
Source:
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 55: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
|
2023/09/13
|
|
Belgium
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Votes are mixed at counting centers with the votes of at least two other stations before counting. Counting is not done by polling staff. Results from voting machines are also combined before published. The number of registered voters in the polling stations of which ballots are assigned to the same counting center, can not exceed 2400.
Source:
The Belgian Electoral Code, Article 149, 156
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BE/belgium-electoral-code-2014/view
|
2019/04/25
|
|
Belize
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9”, Schedule III, Sections 27 & 29: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-representation-of-the-people-act-2020/
|
2025/03/24
|
|
Benin
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 79
http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016)
|
2019/04/05
|
|
Bermuda
|
a. The polling stations
|
The election officer assigned to each polling station counts the ballots placed in the ballot box at the polling station.
Source:
Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
Parliamentary Election Act 1978, Art. 56
|
2012/05/31
|
|
Bhutan
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes shall, subject to any general or special direction of the Election Commission, commence at the polling station or any other publicly designated place at any time after the close of poll.
Source:
Elections Act of Bhutan (2008), Chapter 18, Article 388: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
|
2024/08/27
|
|
Bolivia
|
a. The polling stations
|
After the voting ends, the vote counting is carried out at the polling stations, in presence of the delegates or representatives of political organizations, voters, and members of electoral support missions wishing to attend.
Source:
Electoral Law; “Ley del Régimen Electoral — Ley 026-2010”, art. 168: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BO/bolivia-ley-026-2010-regimen-electoral-vigente/ (2019).
|
2024/12/10
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
a. The polling stations
|
All ballots shall be counted at the Polling Stations, except where the Central Election
Commission of BiH determines that ballots should be counted at one or more Main centers
for counting.
Absentee and By-Mail ballots are counted both in the Main Counting Center.
Source:
Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Art. 5.22, 5.24, 5.25 and 5.28.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
|
2025/06/26
|
|
Botswana
|
c. Special counting centres
|
In the case of National Assembly elections, ballots are counted at counting centers at constituency headquarters.
Source:
Electoral Act of 1968 (as amended until 2012), art. 69 (1): http://www.iec.gov.bw/images/pdf/ElectoralAct.pdf (2014).
|
2014/10/28
|
|
Brazil
|
a. The polling stations
|
ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM AND THE TOTALIZATION OF VOTES
Art. 59. Voting and the totalization of votes shall be done by electronic system, and the Superior Electoral Court may authorize, on an exceptional basis, the application of the rules set forth in Articles 83 to 89.
Art. 61. The electronic voting machine shall count each vote, ensuring its secrecy and inviolability, with broad oversight guaranteed to political parties, coalitions, and candidates.
Art. 66. § 1º All computer programs owned by the Superior Electoral Court, developed by it or on its behalf, used in electronic voting machines for the processes of voting, counting, and totalization, may have their specification and development phases monitored by technicians appointed by political parties, the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, up to six months before the elections.
§ 2º Once the programs referred to in § 1º are completed, they shall be presented for analysis to the accredited representatives of political parties and coalitions, up to twenty days before the elections, at the premises of the Superior Electoral Court, in the form of source programs and executable programs, including application and security systems, as well as special libraries. The private electronic keys and electronic access passwords shall remain confidential under Electoral Justice. After presentation and verification, copies of the source programs and compiled programs will be sealed.
Electoral Code:
Art. 184. Once the counting is completed, the board shall send to the Regional Electoral Court, within twenty-four hours, all election papers related to state or federal elections, along with the documents concerning the counting process, as well as the general minutes of their work, in which the vote counts for each party and candidate, as well as any uncounted votes, shall be recorded, with an explanation of the reasons why those votes were not counted.
Art. 205. The Superior Electoral Court shall carry out the overall counting of the elections for President and Vice President of the Republic based on the results verified by the regional electoral courts in each state.
Source:
Elections Law – Law No. 9.504, of September 30, 1997, Article 59, 61, 66, 83-89:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/lei-das-eleicoes/lei-das-eleicoes-lei-nb0-9.504-de-30-de-setembro-de-1997
Electoral Code – Law No. 4.737, of July 15, 1965, Article 184, 205:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/codigo-eleitoral-1/codigo-eleitoral-lei-nb0-4.737-de-15-de-julho-de-1965
|
2024/10/14
|
|
Brunei Darussalam
|
f. Not applicable
|
There have been no direct elections for the Legislative Council since 1962. The appointed legislative council passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members. However, no elections have been held so far and no election date has been set.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 23: http://publicofficialsfinancialdisclosure.worldbank.org/fdl/sites/fdl/files/assets/law-library-files/Brunei_Constitution_1959_amended%202011_EN.pdf (2013);
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html
|
2013/03/18
|
|
Bulgaria
|
a. The polling stations
|
The voting and counting of votes shall be carried out in polling stations.
Source:
Electoral Law: Election Code, art. 8:1: http://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=82965 (2014)
|
2014/10/09
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code as amended in 2012, art. 94: http://www.ceni.bf/sites/default/files/Code_électoral_BF-Version_21.05.2015.pdf (2015)
|
2015/12/04
|
|
Burma (Myanmar)
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately after the ballot papers are casted in the relevant polling booth, the polling booth officer himself or a member of the polling booth team assigned by him shall count the votes in the polling booth in the presence of the members of the polling booth team, the polling booth agents and the public.
Source:
The Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law, art. 48 (b): http://www.altsean.org/Research/2010/Resources/Laws/Pyithu%20Hluttaw%20Election%20Law.pdf (2013).
|
2015/11/17
|
|
Burundi
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code, art. 62, 63: https://courconstitutionnelle.gov.bi/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Code-Electoral_30092024095027.pdf
|
2025/05/08
|
|
Cambodia
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Polling Station Commission shall be responsible for the ballot counting. Before opening ballot box, the Chairperson shall invite members of the polling station, political party agents, and observers to check the seals, and then open the box in their presence.
Source:
Law on the Election of the Members of the National Assembly, art. 116: http://ngocedaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/tmp_11849-Draft-of-LEMNA-by-CNRP-CPP_March_08_2015132491924.pdf
|
2023/10/11
|
|
Cameroon
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting and tallying shall take place in each polling station immediately after the actual end of voting
Source:
Electoral Code Chapter III section 109: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CM/cameroon-electoral-code-english-2012
|
2018/11/05
|
|
Canada
|
d. Other
|
All regular votes cast on polling day are counted at the polling stations. Special mail-in ballots cast from within electors’ districts are returned to the office of the returning officer for each district, and counted there. Special mail-in ballots cast from outside electors’ assigned districts are returned to Elections Canada and counted there.
Source:
The Canada Elections Act (2015), Part 12, Division 6
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Cape Verde
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law as amended by Law No 56/VII/2010, art. 227: http://www.parlamento.cv/userfiles/image/site/Leis/Altera%20o%20C%C3%B3digo%20Eleitoral%20-%20texto%20integrante.pdf (2016)
|
2016/05/04
|
|
Cayman Islands
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Elections Act (2021 Revision)”, Section 57, 58: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/KY/cayman-islands-elections-act-2021-revision/ ;
|
2021/12/13
|
|
Central African Republic
|
a. The polling stations
|
The polling stations become Vote Counting Stations.
Source:
Electoral Law N° 09.016, Art. 83: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Centrafrique/CODE_ELECTORAL-RCA-2-octobre-2010.pdf (2016)
|
2021/04/19
|
|
Chad
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting takes place at the polling stations and is open to the public.
Source:
Electoral Law N° 003/PR/2008 amended by law n° 008/PR/2009, law n° 007/PR/2010 and law n° 020/PR/2010, art. 67: http://publicofficialsfinancialdisclosure.worldbank.org/sites/fdl/files/assets/law-library-files/Chad_Electoral%20code_2009_fr.pdf (2016)
|
2019/04/23
|
|
Chile
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 69:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/
|
2025/03/21
|
|
China
|
a. The polling stations
|
When balloting has been concluded, scrutineers and vote counters elected by the voters or deputies, and members of the election committee or members of the presidium of the people's congress shall check the number of people who voted against the number of votes cast and make a record of it; the record shall be signed by the scrutineers.
Source:
Electoral Law, Art. 39
|
2012/06/04
|
|
Cocos (keeling) Islands
|
a. The polling stations
|
Counting at polling places
Polling officials are required to complete three main tasks when polls close, in the following order:
count the first preferences on the House of Representatives ballot papers
conduct a two-candidate-preferred (TCP) count of the House of Representatives ballot papers, and
count the first preferences on the Senate ballot papers.
Only ordinary votes from polling places are counted on election night. That is, the ordinary votes that are cast at a polling place where the voter's name is marked off the electoral roll at the time of voting.
(Australian Electoral Commission)
4.72. Outcome of election to be determined
(1) As soon as is practicable after voting has finished the returning
officer is to arrange for the votes to be counted and ascertain the
result of the election.
(2) The votes are to be counted at the place or places notified for the
purpose in the election notice or, if that is impracticable because of riot, violence or other cause, at any other place appointed by
the returning officer.
(Local Government Act 1995, art. 4.72).
Source:
https://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/counting/index.htm
Local Government Act 1995, art. 4.72: https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_551_homepage.html
|
2019/07/10
|
|
Colombia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Código Electoral”, art. 134-136: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CO/colombia-codigo-electoral-2016/ (2016).
|
2024/12/13
|
|
Comoros
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting takes place in the polling stations and is open to the public.
Source:
Law No 10-018/AU Amending certain provisions of the Electoral Act No. 07-001/AU of 14 January 2007, art. 92, 93
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/KM/comores-electoral-law-2010/view (2016)
|
2025/09/30
|
|
Congo (Brazzaville)
|
a. The polling stations
|
a) Counting is performed either in the polling station or in the polling centre.
Source:
Election law of 24 November 2001, Art. 97: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CG/congo-brazzaville-electoral-law-2001/view (2017)
Election law of 24 November 2001, Amended 2016, Art. 97
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CG/congo-brazzaville-electoral-law-amendments-2016/view (2017)
|
2017/03/29
|
|
Congo (Kinshasa), Democratic Republic of the
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Loi électorale de la RDC, art. 62:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CD/drc-electoral-law-february-2006-french./view
|
2016/11/29
|
|
Cook Islands
|
a. The polling stations
|
On completion of the scrutiny of rolls under section 76, the Returning Officer, with such assistance as he or she deems necessary, and in the presence of such persons so authorised to attend the scrutiny and choose to be present, shall open all the parcels of voting papers used at the election other than the envelope mentioned in subsection (8) of section 76, and setting aside all informal voting papers, shall ascertain and report to the Chief Electoral Officer the total number of votes received by each candidate at the election .
Source:
Teokoati Joseph, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Service - Ministry of Justice
Electoral Act (2004), Art.77
|
2014/06/05
|
|
Costa Rica
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 182: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/
|
2018/01/24
|
|
Croatia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 72: (3) After establishing the number of voters who have cast their vote, the committee opens the ballot-box and counts the votes.
Source:
Electoral Law: Act on Election of Representatives to the Croatian Parliament (116/99) (consolidated wording with amendments No. 109/00 and 53/03), art. e
https://www.izbori.hr/site/en/elections-referenda/elections-of-representatives-to-the-croatian-parliament/1724
|
2025/04/15
|
|
Cuba
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley No. 127, Ley Electoral”, art. 116: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CU/cuba-ley-electoral-127-2019-ace/
|
2023/09/12
|
|
Cyprus
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Chairperson of the Election immediately upon the completion of the voting, arranges for the election and counting of the votes on the spot in each polling place in the presence of the candidates or of the appointed written representatives of the parties
Source:
Electoral Law 72 of 1979 as amended, Art. 31:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-electoral-law-72-1979-greek-version/ (2016).
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Czech Republic
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes starts at polling stations and is done by special district election commission (elections to the Chamber of Deputies) or district election commissions (elections to the Senate).
Source:
Electoral Law: Act of Law 247/1995 Coll., on elections to the Parliament of the Czech Republic (amended by 480/2006 Coll.), art. 40 & 69.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CZ/czech-republic-act-no.-247-on-elections-to-the/view (2017)
https://www.psp.cz/en/docs/laws/1995/247.html
|
2023/09/18
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Code électoral (2015), art. 39, 85: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CI/cote-divoire-code-electoral-2015/view
|
2016/12/01
|
|
Denmark
|
a. The polling stations
|
Part 9
Computation of the Poll in the Nomination District
Counting of the Votes Cast at the Polling Station
68.-(1) When the voting is over, the polling supervisors and the appointed electors, cf. however section 74a, shall count the votes cast at the polling station. The counting is public. The number of votes cast for each party and for each independent candidate shall be counted.
Source:
Elections Act, Ch.1, P.9, Art. 68(1).
https://valg.oim.dk/media/16286/consolidated-act-parliament-elections-incl-chapt2-2014.pdf
|
2019/05/27
|
|
Djibouti
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting takes place either in the polling station or at the seat of the administrative district. In this case, the transport of the ballot box must be done by the members of the polling station, constantly accompanied by representatives of political parties.
Source:
Electoral Law n° 1/ AN /92 regulating elections, as amended by Organic Law n ° L 11/AN/02/4, art. 51:
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/DJ/djibouti-electoral-law-1992/view (2016)
|
2018/04/02
|
|
Dominica
|
a. The polling stations
|
Forthwith upon the close of the poll, in the presence and in full view of the poll clerk and the candidates or their agents, and if the candidates or any of them are absent, then in the presence of such as are present, and of at least two electors if none of the candidates is represented, the presiding officer counts the number of votes.
Source:
EL: 39.
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Dominican Republic
|
a. The polling stations
|
Only persons empowered by the Electoral College will execute the counting of the votes.
Source:
Ley Electoral “Ley Orgánica de Régimen Electoral No. 15-19 art. 231: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/DO/republica-dominicana-ley-organica-de-regimen/ (2019)
|
2020/02/05
|
|
Ecuador
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Electoral y de Organizaciones Políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia”, art. 124: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-codigo-democracia-2023/
|
2025/03/13
|
|
Egypt
|
c. Special counting centres
|
The counting of election or referendum votes from a polling station shall be held in the presence of the head of the polling station committee at the premises of the General Committee. The counting of the votes for the party-lists shall be conducted at the General Committee of the constituency. However, the National Electoral Commission may decide to carry out vote counting at the polling stations.
Source:
Law No. 73 of the year 1956 Regulating the Exercise of Political Rights and its Amendments, art. 34, 34 Bis: http://www.democracy-reporting.org/files/law_on_the_exercise_of_political_rights_including_amendments_to_december.pdf (2012).
|
2025/09/30
|
|
El Salvador
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Decreto No. 413 — Código Electoral”, art. 200: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/
|
2024/12/19
|
|
Eritrea
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections Act, art. 56:1
|
2011/06/22
|
|
Estonia
|
a. The polling stations
|
§ 57. Ascertaining of voting results in voting district committee
(1) A voting district committee shall open the ballot boxes after the close of voting. More than one-half of the members of the voting district committee shall be present at the opening.
Source:
Electoral Law: Riigikogu Election Act as last amended 13 April 2016, § 57.
|
2019/02/20
|
|
Ethiopia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting for any election shall be carried out at the polling station where the voting took place. Where due to compelling circumstances, the polling station electoral officer requests to the constituency and is accepted or where the constituency electoral officer decides, the vote
counting may be carried out at the constituency election office.
Source:
Electoral Law as amended by Proclamation No. 532/2007, art. 72 (1, 2)
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ET/ethiopia-proclamatio-no.-532-2007-amending-the/view
|
2015/05/18
|
|
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
|
b. The polling centre
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Electoral Ordinance 1988”, Section 119–122: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/FK/falkland-islands-electoral-ordinance-1988/ ;
|
2022/04/19
|
|
Fiji
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately upon closing of the polls, the counting of ballot papers is to be undertaken and completed in the respective polling station by the presiding officer and such election officials designated by him or her.
Source:
Electoral Decree No. 11 of 2014, art. 89 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/FJ/fiji-electoral-decree-no.-11-of-2014/at_download/file (2014).
|
2018/04/20
|
|
Finland
|
a. The polling stations
|
After the chairperson or the deputy chairperson of the election committee has announced that the polling day voting has ended, the ballot papers are without delay to be taken from the ballot box and counted. Similarly, the number of the people that have used their right to vote during the polling day is counted, according to the entries made in the electoral roll or the voting register.
Source:
Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 78
https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714_20040218.pdf
|
2019/04/02
|
|
France
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Art. L65
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do;jsessionid=9B64B63FCBA694B62F4DC7D7DCC0F066.tplgfr23s_1?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070239&dateTexte=20200617
|
2020/06/20
|
|
French Guiana
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2009/11/04
|
|
French Polynesia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L.65.
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Gabon
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Law No. 7/96 of 12 March 1996 establishing common rules for all political elections, with all the subsequent amendments, art. 103, 104
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GA/gabon-code-electoral-2005/view (2017)
|
2025/05/14
|
|
Gambia
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Ballots are counted at special counting centers operated by the Commission.
Source:
Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part V, section 72, 73, 75: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view
|
2017/03/21
|
|
Georgia
|
a. The polling stations
|
The PEC chairperson shall check the seal integrity on a ballot box in the presence of PEC members and persons authorised to be present at a polling place.
Source:
The Election Code of Georgia, art. 68:
https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/1557168?publication=87
|
2024/07/25
|
|
Germany
|
a. The polling stations
|
After polling has closed, the Electoral Board shall establish how many votes have been cast in the polling district for the individual constituency nominations and Land lists.
Source:
Federal Elections Act, Section 37
https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/en/dam/jcr/4ff317c1-041f-4ba7-bbbf-1e5dc45097b3/bundeswahlgesetz_engl.pdf
Federal Electoral Regulations, Art. 69
|
2021/11/19
|
|
Ghana
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately after the close of the poll, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of such of the candidates or their representatives and their polling agents as are present, proceed to count, at that polling station, the ballot papers of that station and record the votes cast in favour of each candidate or question. Constitution, art. 49
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, art. 49 (2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GH/ghana-constitution-1992-with-amendments-through/
The Public Elections Regulations (2016), art. 38:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GH/ghana-public-elections-regulations-2016/
|
2016/10/05
|
|
Gibraltar
|
b. The polling centre
|
40.(1) Before the returning officer proceeds to count the votes he shall in the presence of the counting agents open each ballot box and taking out the ballot papers therein shall count and record the number thereof, and then mix together the whole of the ballot papers contained in the ballot boxes.
(2) The returning officer shall then in the presence of the counting agents verify each ballot paper account by comparing it with the number of ballot papers recorded by him, and the unused and spoilt ballot papers in his possession and the tendered votes list (opening and re-sealing the packets containing the unused and spoilt ballot papers and the tendered votes list) and shall draw up a statement as to the result of the verification, which any counting agent may copy.
(3) The returning officer shall not open the sealed packets of tendered ballot papers or of counterfoils of the used ballot papers.
(4) The returning officer, while counting and recording the number of ballot papers and counting the votes, shall keep the ballot papers with their faces upwards and take all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the official mark and the numbers printed on the back thereof.
(5) The returning officer shall, so far as practicable, proceed continuously with counting the votes allowing only time for refreshment:
Provided that he may, in so far as he and the candidates or their election agents shall agree, exclude the hours between ten o'clock in the evening and nine o'clock in the morning.
(6) During the excluded time the returning officer shall take proper precautions for the security of the ballot papers and other documents, and in particular shall place the ballot papers and other documents relating to the election, under his own seal and the seals of such of the counting agents as desire to affix their seal.
Source:
Election Rules, Part III Article 40
https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/1950.07.20-1.pdf
|
2019/11/04
|
|
Greece
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
P.D. 96/2007 (Codification of the legal provisions on parliamentary elections), Art. 90-93
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7827/file/Greece_Law_election_parliament_as_of_2007_en.pdf
|
2020/07/26
|
|
Greenland
|
a. The polling stations
|
When the voting is over, the polling supervisors and the appointed electors, cf. however section 74a, shall count the votes cast at the polling station. The counting is public. The number of votes cast for each party and for each independent candidate shall be counted
Source:
Parliamentary Election Act of Denmark, Ch.1, P.9, Art. 68(1)
|
2012/06/14
|
|
Grenada
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law 50.
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Guadeloupe
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Guam
|
c. Special counting centres
|
the Election Return Center
Source:
3 Guam Code 11108:
http://www.guamcourts.org/CompilerofLaws/GCA/03gca/3gc011.PDF
|
2020/10/28
|
|
Guatemala
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 237: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/
|
2023/05/29
|
|
Guinea
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code No. 91/012/CTRN, art. 79: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GN/guinea-electoral-code-2010/
|
2017/01/26
|
|
Guinea-Bissau
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law of 11 November 2009 on the election of the President of the Republic and the National People's Assembly ("Lei Eleitoral Para Presidente da República e Assembleia Nacional Popular"), art. 76, 77, 78: http://www.cne-guinebissau.org/phocadownload/lei_eleitoral.pdf (2012)
|
2014/06/24
|
|
Guyana
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Representation of the People Act, sec 84
|
2015/05/11
|
|
Haiti
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 162 of the Electoral Act.
Source:
Le Moniteur sous la direction de Beauzile, Fritzner, « Loi électoral », http://haitijustice.com/pdf/legislation/loi-electorale-haiti-2013.pdf, 168ième année No. 229, 2013
|
2015/04/08
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
f. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Honduras
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral de Honduras”, art. 267: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/HN/honduras-ley-electoral-2021-con-reformas-2021/
|
2025/08/07
|
|
Hong Kong
|
a. The polling stations
|
The polling stations (other than small polling stations (see para. 5.2 below) and dedicated polling stations) will be converted to counting stations for counting the GC ballot papers.
Source:
Legislative Council General Election Guidelines (2016), Ch5-1: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/HK/hong-kong-legislative-council-general-election-4/view
|
2021/06/07
|
|
Hungary
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Act XXXVI of 2013 on Electoral Procedure (last modified by Act CCVII of 2013), Section 188: http://njt.hu/cgi_bin/njt_doc.cgi?docid=159995.329468.
|
2018/07/30
|
|
Iceland
|
c. Special counting centres
|
The senior electoral commission shall, with sufficient notice prior to the election, announce the time and place when the commission [or the regional electoral commission]1)convenes for the opening of the ballot boxes and the counting of the votes. Local electoral commissions are obligated to make sure that the ballot boxes and the accompanying electoral materials are handed over to the senior electoral commission [or the regional electoral commission]1)at that time, unless this cannot be done because of excusable absence. Counting should always take place as soon as possible in the opinion of the senior electoral commission [or the regional electoral commission
Source:
Parliamentary Elections Act, Art. 97
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/3897/file/Iceland_Act_Parliamentary_Elections_to_Althing_2000_en.pdf
|
2020/07/27
|
|
India
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
https://ceogoa.nic.in/pdf/ImportantDocs/Handbook%20for%20Counting%20Agent-2023.pdf
|
2024/09/05
|
|
Indonesia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 74(1): Counting of the votes acquired by the Election Contesting Political Parties and the votes acquired by the candidates for DPR, DPD, Provincial DPRD and Regency/Municipal DPRD in TPS shall be conducted by KPPS.
Article 175(1): Vote counting at TPS/TPSLN shall be conducted after the end of the voting period.
(2) Vote counting as referred to in paragraph (1) shall only be done and completed at the TPS/TPSLN on the polling day.
Source:
Law 8/2012 on General Election of the Members of House of Representatives, People’s Representatives Council and Regional House of Representatives, Art. 174, 175, 176: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/ID/indonesia-law-8-2012-on-general-election-of-the/view
|
2024/02/07
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
a. The polling stations
|
Governors and deputy governors of elections stations shall conform the result of their votes counting with supervisory boards of station
Source:
Iran: Elections Act of Islamic Consultative Assembly (1999), Art. 24: https://www.refworld.org/themes/custom/unhcr_rw/pdf-js/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.refworld.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Flegacy-pdf%2Fen%2F1999-11%2F4c35cba22.pdf
|
2024/11/19
|
|
Iraq
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting process and completing its forms will be conducted after concluding the polling process at each polling station.
Source:
Regulation No. 18, Voting, Counting and Sorting, 5(1):http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/IQ/iraq-regulation-no.-18-voting-counting-and-sorting/view
Electoral Law of the Iraqi Parliament, Article 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/mideast/IQ/iraq-electoral-law-of-the-iraqi-parliament-2013/view
|
2018/04/19
|
|
Ireland
|
c. Special counting centres
|
The returning officer for a constituency shall appoint a place within or convenient to the constituency as the place at which he will count the votes.
Source:
Electoral Act 1992, Art. 112: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
|
2024/11/21
|
|
Israel
|
a. The polling stations
|
Counting of ballots is conducted at the individual polling stations.
Source:
Link of Central Elections Committee expired
|
2015/03/15
|
|
Italy
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: "Testo unico delle leggi elettorali", Art. 67
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.del.presidente.della.repubblica:1957-03-30;361!vig=
|
2020/07/18
|
|
Jamaica
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law (The Representation of the People Act) Section 44.
|
2025/09/23
|
|
Japan
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
Public Offices Election Act, Art 63:
https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=325AC1000000100#637
|
2019/07/09
|
|
Jordan
|
a. The polling stations
|
At the polling and counting center. The location is designated by the Commission within an electoral district for conducting the polling and counting processes.
Source:
Law on the Election of the House of Representatives
Law No. (6) of 2016, art. 2, 32: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/misc/jordan-law-on-the-election-of-the-house-of/view (2016)
|
2016/08/05
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote count during the elections of the President, members of the Mazhilis of the Parliament and maslikhats, akim, members of other local self-government bodies at all polling stations shall begin at 20:00 local time, if the voting time is not changed
in this precinct in accordance with the procedure established by this Constitutional Act.
Source:
Constitutional Law on Elections of the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on June 29, 2018, art. 43: https://www.election.gov.kz/eng/election-legal-framework/the-laws-of-the-rk.php
|
2024/10/22
|
|
Kenya
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Constitution art. 86(b)
|
2024/12/06
|
|
Kiribati
|
c. Special counting centres
|
As soon as practicable after the termination of the voting the presiding officer shall make up into separate packets, and seal- (a) the ballot box in use at the polling station, locked and sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers but with the key attached ... And shall deliver the packets to the Electoral Officer together with the register of electors as marked.
The Electoral Officer shall open each ballot box and, taking out the ballot papers, shall, with the assistance of the counters, count and record the number of ballot papers in the ballot box and the number of votes marked thereon in favour of each candidate.
Source:
Subsidiary Legislation: Elections Regulation Part IV, art. 16(1)(a), Part 5, Art. 19 under Elections Ordinance
http://www.paclii.org/ki/legis/consol_act/eo167.pdf
|
2020/05/02
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Counting is carried out by the election commission at designated counting places
Source:
Public Official Election Act Article 170, 171, 173: https://www.nec.go.kr/site/eng/ex/bbs/List.do?cbIdx=1280
|
2024/08/28
|
|
Kuwait
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Law No. 35 of 1962 on the election of members of Parliament with its amendments, art. 36: http://www.gcc-legal.org/mojportalpublic/LawAsPDF.aspx?opt&country=1&LawID=2687#Section_3508 (2013)
|
2013/01/31
|
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes shall begin immediately after the end of voting and is conducted without
interruption until the results of voting are determined in the same hall where the voting was held.
Source:
Constitutional Law No 68 of 2011 (amended 2020) “On elections of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and deputies of Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic”, art. 35 (3): https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/a1/KYRG_Const%20Laww%20on%20Elections%20of%20President%20and%20MPs.pdf
|
2025/05/07
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes shall be done openly in front of at least 3 witnesses, who are voters in that unit, but not the candidates. Journalists and representatives of candidates may observe and follow the counting of votes.
The committees at the level of polling units shall divide their responsibilities for counting votes as follows:
One person is to read the ballots, one person is to check, and the others are to follow the proceedings and record.
Source:
Law No. 37/PO on the Election of Members of the National Assembly, art. 31: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LA/Lao-People2019s-Democratic-Republic-Law-on/view
|
2021/02/28
|
|
Latvia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 29: (1) The preliminary counting of votes shall start immediately after the polling stations have closed. Votes shall be counted at an open meeting of the polling station commission.
Source:
Electoral Law: The Saeima Election Law as in force on 19 July 2014, art. 29: http://cvk.lv/pub/public/30870.html?doc_print=1 (2014)
|
2014/10/09
|
|
Lebanon
|
a. The polling stations
|
After voting polls are closed, the door will be closed to everyone except poll observers, campaign correspondents, voting supervisors and media representatives to record inside the polling stations. The polling station head will open the ballot boxes and count the number of votes compared to the registered voters. If the numbers differ, this will be noted in the final report. The polling station head will open each ballot box one-by-one and announce each vote winner and each preferential vote winner. This will be monitored by campaign correspondents, voting supervisors and other authorities.
Source:
Lebanese Elections Law, art. 100: https://www.ministryinfo.gov.lb/en/22598
https://elections.gov.lb/getattachment/00bbe177-0eec-4f8a-a4df-e47c7e19b4de/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%28PDF%29.aspx%20(2017)
|
2024/11/20
|
|
Lesotho
|
a. The polling stations
|
“Votes to be counted at voting stations after the close of voting”
Source:
National Assembly Electoral Act (2011), Article 94
|
2017/07/19
|
|
Liberia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
The New Elections Law (2016, with amendments up until and including 2014), Chapter 4, Art. 4.12, http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/LR/liberia-amended-electoral-laws-2014/view
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately after the announcement of voting completion, vote sorting and counting process is started at the ballot station at the presence of chairman and members of the ballot station, candidate representatives and observers.
Source:
Law No. 4 on the Election of the General National Congress, Art. 26 & 27. (National Transitional Council of Libya): (Eng) http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/LY/libya-law-no.-4-of-2012-on-the-election-of-the-e/view (Arabic) http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/LY/libya-law-no.-4-of-2012-on-the-election-of-the/view
|
2024/11/25
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
a. The polling stations
|
On election day, ComECs serve as polling station commissions and are responsible for the conduct of voting, counting and transfer of results to the MECs.
Source:
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Pricipality of Liechtenstein, Parliamentary Elections 7 February 2021, Needs Assessment Mission Report, 2020 (6)
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/a/f/473469.pdf
|
2025/02/17
|
|
Lithuania
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 77.
Counting of Votes of the Voters who Have Voted in the Polling Station of the Polling District.
(2) Having ascertained that the ballot box has not been tampered with, in the presence of at least 3/5 of the members of the polling district electoral committee as well as observers, it shall be opened, all ballot papers shall be placed on tables on which there are no other documents and writing materials ( except black lead pencils), and the committee shall start counting votes.
Source:
Republic of Lithuania, Law on the Elections to the Seimas (9 July 1992, as last amended on 22 March 2016 – No XII-2265), art. 77(2)
https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/89e6d1a0f58111e5bf4ee4a6d3cdb874?jfwid=tu0odnkka
|
2020/06/05
|
|
Luxembourg
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral law, Art. 144: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/68/Luxembourg_electoral%20code_2003_amended2016_FR.pdf
|
2024/11/20
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 101
(3) The Election Board may close the polling station before the end of the period from
paragraph (1) of this article in case when all voters registered in the Voter List have
already cast their votes, but shall not start with the counting of the votes before 19:00
hours.
Source:
Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 101 (3) and 114: https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
|
2024/11/19
|
|
Madagascar
|
a. The polling stations
|
Counting takes place at the polling station immediately after polling and is observed by accredited observers, candidates and candidate agents.
Source:
Organic Law n° 2012-005 on the Electoral Code, art. 98: http://mdm-national.mg/bureau/textes-reglementaires/textes-reglementaires/ (2013)
|
2013/02/11
|
|
Malawi
|
a. The polling stations
|
After the close of the poll ballot the votes are counted by the Presiding Officer in the presence of political party representative
Source:
Electoral Law: Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, art. 92.
|
2025/05/26
|
|
Malaysia
|
a. The polling stations
|
As per the preamble of the Elections Act:
"polling station" means any room, structure, vehicle or vessel, at the place appointed, set apart and equipped for the purpose of polling and counting of votes
Source:
Elections Act 1958 with the subsequent amendments, preamble and definition: http://www.agc.gov.my/Akta/Vol.%201/Act%2019%20-%20Elections%20Act%201958.pdf (2013)
|
2013/03/21
|
|
Maldives
|
a. The polling stations
|
Constitution (2008)
171(b)Immediately after the close of the polls, the presiding officer who is appointed by the Elections Commission shall, in the presence of such candidates or their representatives if present, and any other persons authorized by law to be present, count at that polling station the ballot papers of that station, and record and publicly declare the votes cast in favour of each candidate or question in a public referendum.
Source:
Constitution (2008), art. 171 (b):http://www.majlis.gov.mv/en/wp-content/uploads/Constitution-english.pdf (2018)
|
2019/02/13
|
|
Mali
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Article 84 du Code Electoral.
Verified by Mamadou Seck, Forum Civil, [email protected], 2008-02-20
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Votes are first sorted when the ballot boxes are transferred to the Counting and Tabulation Committee, either at the central location, or a local one.
"...[T]he Chief Electoral Officer shall as soon as practicable, cause the following to be transmitted to the Counting and Tabulation Committee: ... all ballot boxes ... the container of absentee and postal votes ... any other covering envelopes and covering reply envelopes containing absentee or postal votes ..."
Source:
Elections and Referenda Act, as amended, sec. 117-119 & 177.
https://rmiparliament.org/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1980/1980-0020/ElectionsandReferendaAct1980_5.pdf
|
2023/10/12
|
|
Martinique
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Mauritania
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Decree No. 86-130 of 13 August 1986 regulating the procedures for the election campaign and voting process, art. 26
|
2024/10/28
|
|
Mauritius
|
a. The polling stations
|
On the day next following the poll the returning officer shall attend at the place of
election or such other place as he may appoint, and at 8 a.m. shall, in the presence of such of the duly appointed agents of the candidates as attend, break any seal affixed to each ballot box in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, open each ballot box and first proceed to count the ballot papers contained in each ballot box and record the number thereof, keeping the ballot papers with their faces upwards and taking all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers on the backs of such papers, and then proceed to count the votes.
Source:
Electoral Law: National Assembly Elections Regulations, sec. 45 & 47.
Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 294.
|
2012/02/25
|
|
Mexico
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: "Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales", art. 287: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgipe-2024/
|
2024/04/12
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
c. Special counting centres
|
After all voting is completed, all ballot boxes shall be secured and locked. The locked boxes and all other supplies provided to the Polling Places by the national election commissioner shall be collected by election officials and delivered to the national election commissioner of the State concerned;
The National Election Director, upon the recommendation of the national election commissioner of the relevant State, shall establish counting and tabulation committees in each State.
Source:
The National Election Code, Title 9, Chapter 7, Section 709, 710 (1): http://fsmlaw.org/fsm/code/title09/T9_Ch7_2014.html#709
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 61. Votes Counting and Tabulation by Precinct Electoral Bureau
(1) After the time reserved for voting has expired, the chairperson of the Precinct Electoral Bureau shall
announce the end of voting and order the closure of polling station premises. The precinct electoral bureau
shall start counting the votes.
Source:
Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova, article 61:1.
|
2021/03/31
|
|
Monaco
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting is done in public, under the supervision of the polling station.
Source:
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended Art. 45-46
https://legimonaco.mc/tnc/loi/1968/02-23-839/
|
2023/09/13
|
|
Mongolia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting shall begin in election precincts immediately after the polling ends
and shall be conducted in a transparent and open manner in the presence of observers and
media representatives
Source:
Electoral Law of 2016, Art. 97: https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7739/file/Mongolia_law_elections_2015_am2016_en.pdf
|
2020/02/17
|
|
Montenegro
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 89: 1. After the voting, the polling board shall begin ascertaining voting results at the polling station. The polling board shall ascertain the number of unused ballot papers and place them in a special envelope which shall then be sealed.
Source:
Electoral Law: Law on the Election of Councillors and Representatives as amended in 2016, Art. 89
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7743/file/Montenegro_Law_elections_councillors_members_of_parliament_1998_am2016_en.pdf
|
2021/12/23
|
|
Morocco
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Organic Law No. 27.11 relating to the House of Representatives, Article 78 (2011): http://www.sgg.gov.ma/Portals/0/lois/Loi_27-11_Fr.pdf
|
2022/08/02
|
|
Mozambique
|
a. The polling stations
|
Counting takes place immediately after close of polls, in polling stations by presiding officer and polling officers, under the observation of candidate/party agents and observers.
Source:
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 89, 90: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014)
|
2024/12/04
|
|
Namibia
|
c. Special counting centres
|
All ballot boxes are transported to the counting centre or venue in a constituency, where the Returning Officer has responsibility over all the ballot boxes for counting purposes.
Source:
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 85 & 87.
|
2012/02/25
|
|
Nauru
|
c. Special counting centres
|
"As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the presiding officer at each polling station must bring the locked ballot box from that polling station to the Electoral Commissioner"
Source:
Electoral Act 2016, Art. 81. (http://ronlaw.gov.nr/nauru_lpms/files/acts/d83250a1ebdc56c1701fa7aa245af5b1.pdf).
|
2019/07/08
|
|
Nepal
|
c. Special counting centres
|
c) After all ballot boxes used for polling at all polling stations of the election constituency have been received from the Polling Officers, the Returning Officer shall publish in his or her office a notice for information to political parties and candidates, setting out the date, time and place for counting votes.
Source:
Election of the Members of Constituent Assembly Rules, 2064 (2007), Art. 39 - 44: www.lawcommission.gov.np (2012)
|
2012/06/12
|
|
Netherlands
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately after the packets have been sealed as referred to in section N 2, the ballot box shall be opened.
The ballot papers shall be counted and their number compared with the number of voters who voted.
Source:
Act of 28 September 1989 containing new provisions governing the franchise and elections (Elections Act): Ch. N
http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Netherlands/Netherlands_Elections%20Act_1989am2009.pdf
|
2022/08/02
|
|
New Caledonia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code, Article L.65.
|
2009/11/04
|
|
New Zealand
|
a. The polling stations
|
Preliminary counting of votes cast in a polling place must be conducted at a polling place or at any other place which is designated by the Electoral Commission.
Source:
Electoral Act 1993, Art. 147,174, 178:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/whole.html#DLM308195 (2017)
|
2024/07/10
|
|
Nicaragua
|
a. The polling stations
|
Once the voting is finished and the minute act signed, ballots are counted at the polling station.
Source:
Electoral Law No. 331: “Ley Electoral No. 331 (enmendada por la ley No. 790 del 23/05/2012)”, art. 123:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/NI/leyes-electorales/nicaragua-ley-no.-331-ley-electoral-2012/ (2016).
|
2016/06/07
|
|
Niger
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Loi 2014-01 du 28 mars 2014, portant régime général des élections présidentielles, locales et référendaires, art. 53: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/NE/niger-loi-2014-01-du-28-mars-2014-portant-regime/
|
2017/02/07
|
|
Nigeria
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Act 2010, art. 63: http://www.inecnigeria.org/downloads/?did=5 (2013)
|
2015/03/30
|
|
Niue
|
a. The polling stations
|
The presiding officer for each polling place counts the votes immediately after the polling place closes.
Source:
Niue Assembly Act 1966, as amended, Art. 65.
|
2014/06/23
|
|
Northern Mariana Islands
|
c. Special counting centres
|
The accounting of ballots shall begin after all the polls in each election district are closed and shall continue in any tabulating location specified by the Commission until all votes are counted.
Source:
https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6524 (a)(1)
|
2024/12/11
|
|
Norway
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
The Election Act, Ch. 10, Art. 10-5: http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KRD/Kampanjer/valgportal/Regelverk/Representation_of_the_People_Act170609.pdf (2012)
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Oman
|
d. Other
|
Voters use the Intakhib app to vote online since 2023.
Source:
Inter-parliamentary Union: "OMAN Majles A'Shura (Consultative Council)" Legal Framework (2015)
http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2378.htm
Times of Oman
https://timesofoman.com/article/137844-90-elected-for-omans-10th-shura-council-term
|
2025/05/12
|
|
Pakistan
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Presiding Officer shall count the votes immediately after the close of the poll in the presence of such of
the contesting candidates, election agents, polling agents and authorized observers as may be present.
Source:
Election Act including 2023 amendments, art. 90 (1): https://ecp.gov.pk/storage/files/2/Elections%20Act%202017%20updated/Updated%20Elections%20Act%202017-231011-105435.pdf
|
2024/11/25
|
|
Palau
|
c. Special counting centres
|
After voting is completed, ballot boxes are sealed and sent to the Electoral Commission or to special counting and tabulating commissions appointed by the Electoral Commission to be counted.
Source:
Voting Rights Act of 1981, as amended, Sec. 1549-1550, 1552. (23 PNCA §1549-1550, 1552)
|
2016/11/04
|
|
Palestine
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections Law 2 September 2007 regulating general elections, art. 89: http://www.elections.ps/Portals/0/pdf/Election_Law_%282007-Sept_02%29-EN.pdf (2013)
|
2013/04/09
|
|
Panama
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 165 (1), 186, 431: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
|
2024/12/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
c. Special counting centres
|
c) Counting Centers within the electorate where the election was held.
Source:
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, Section 148: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/ (2017)
|
2017/03/16
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: Código Electoral Paraguayo (Ley 834/96), art. 222:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PY/paraguay-codigo-electoral-2014/ (2014)
|
2023/03/16
|
|
Peru
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley 26859, orgánica de elecciones”, art. 278: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PE/peru-ley-26859-organica-elecciones-2019/
|
2020/01/28
|
|
Philippines
|
a. The polling stations
|
As soon as the voting is finished, the board of election inspectors shall publicly count in the polling place the votes cast and ascertain the results. The board of election inspectors shall not adjourn or postpone or delay the count until it has been fully completed, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.
The Commission, in the interest of free, orderly, and honest elections, may order the board of election inspectors to count the votes and to accomplish the election returns and other forms prescribed under this Code in any other place within a public building in the same municipality or city: Provided, That the said public building shall not be located within the perimeter of or inside a military or police camp or reservation nor inside a prison compound.
Source:
The Omnibus Election Code ("Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, s. 1985"), Art. XVIII, Sec. 206: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=References/RelatedLaws/OmnibusElectionCode/OECArt18 (2016)
|
2016/05/12
|
|
Pitcairn Islands
|
e. No information available
|
|
2019/11/06
|
|
Poland
|
a. The polling stations
|
Immediately following the close of voting the chairperson of the elections commission shall seal the ballot box, in the presence of the members of the commission.
Following the execution of the obligation referred to in Article 70 above, the chairperson, assisted by the commission, shall open the ballot box, following which the commission shall count the ballot papers contained therein.
Source:
Election Code: Act of 5 January 2011 on Election Code to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and to the Senate of the Republic of Poland, article 70 and 71: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/40/POL_Election%20Code.pdf
|
2024/11/13
|
|
Portugal
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 100.
Preliminary Operation
Once the voting is closed, the president of the assembly or voting section counts the unused ballots and those invalidated by the voters, and places them in a proper envelope, which is then sealed and stamped for the purposes of paragraph 8 of Article 95.
Article 101.
Counting of In-Person Voting Abroad:
...
Article 102.
Counting of Votes:
...
Source:
Electoral Law of the Assembly of the Republic, Law No. 14/79, of May 16, Articles 100, 101, 102: https://www.cne.pt/sites/default/files/dl/legis_lear_consolidada_2020-11.pdf
Electoral Legislation:
https://www.cne.pt/content/legislacao-eleitoral
|
2024/10/26
|
|
Puerto Rico
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Código Electoral de Puerto Rico de 2020”, art. 10.1, 10.3: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-ley-58-2020-codigo-electoral-2020/
|
2020/11/03
|
|
Qatar
|
f. Not applicable
|
Source:
https://www.idea.int/blog/stability-or-elections-look-qatars-2024-constitutional-referendum
Constitution: https://www.gco.gov.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/permanent_constitution_state_qatar_en.pdf
|
2025/05/08
|
|
Romania
|
a. The polling stations
|
Art. 44. – All the operations relating to the counting of votes shall be carried
out in the presence of the members of the electoral bureaux of the polling stations
and may be watched by the persons accredited under the terms of the present
title.
Art. 45. – (1) After the close of poll, the president, in the presence of the
members of the electoral bureau of the polling station, shall annul the ballot
papers remained unused.
Source:
Electoral Law: Law No. 35 of 13 March 2008 for the election to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, art. 44-45.
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/4224/file/ROM%20Election%20Laws_en.pdf
|
2020/08/24
|
|
Russian Federation
|
a. The polling stations
|
1. Counting of votes shall be carried out openly and publicly, with the announcement and corresponding consecutive entry into the enlarged forms of protocols of the precinct election commission on voting results of the results of actions carried out to count ballots and votes by voting members of the precinct election commission. Persons referred to in Part 5 of Article 32 of this Federal Law shall be given an opportunity to be present during the counting of votes and to observe the counting.
2. At the end of voting time, chair of the precinct election commission shall announce that
only those voters who are already in the polling station may receive ballots and vote. Counting of votes shall begin immediately after the end of voting shall be carried out without interruption until the determination of voting results, which shall be communicated to all members of the precinct election commission, other persons referred to in Part 5 of Article 32 this Federal Law.
Source:
Electoral Law: Federal Law On Elections of Deputies to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, amended as of April, 5, 2016, article 85: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/34/Law%20on%20Parliamentary%20Elections%20of%20the%20Russian%20Federation%20as%20of%20February%202014.pdf
|
2024/03/25
|
|
Rwanda
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting shall be held in each Polling room, and carried out by Assessors under the supervision of Polling room Coordinator after the time for closure of polls.
Source:
Rwanda Electoral Code Article 94. https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/RW/rwanda-electoral-code-regulating-the-presidential-election
|
2024/12/04
|
|
Réunion
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Saint Helena
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Source:
Carol George, Office of the Chief Secretary, Saint Helena
|
2009/11/04
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
a. The polling stations
|
After all the ballot boxes have been received they shall be opened for the count of votes and in the presence of such of the candidates or their agents.
Source:
Article 88, National Assembly Elections Act
|
2020/04/19
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Upon the close of the poll, in the presence and in full view of
the poll clerk and the candidates or their agents, and if the
candidates or any of them are absent, then in the presence of
such as are present, and of at least 2 electors if none of the
candidates is represented, the presiding officer shall—
(a) count the number of voters whose names appear in the
poll book as having voted and make an entry thereof on
the line immediately below the name of the voter who
voted last, thus;
“the number of voters who voted at this election in this
polling station is....”
Source:
St. Lucia Elections Act, art 63
|
2013/07/16
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
a. The polling stations
|
Forthwith upon the close of the poll, in the presence and in full view of the poll clerk and the candidates or their agents, and if the candidates or any of them are absent, then in the presence of such as are present, and of at least two electors if none of the candidates is represented, the presiding officer counts the number of votes.
Source:
HAER: 39.
Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979
|
2021/12/27
|
|
Samoa
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Commissioner must make arrangements for a scrutiny of the rolls as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.
Source:
The Electoral Act 2019, Article 81 (1): https://www.palemene.ws/wp-content/uploads/Electoral-Act-2019-Eng.pdf (2021)
|
2021/04/10
|
|
San Marino
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral law N.6 of 31 January 1996, Art. 38 (8): http://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/contents/instance18/files/document/21801leggi_5336.pdf (2012)
|
2012/05/28
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 133, 134: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
|
2016/06/28
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
f. Not applicable
|
Source:
Shura Council Law: http://www.shura.gov.sa/wps/wcm/connect/ShuraEn/internet/Laws+and+Regulations/The+Shura+Council+and+the+rules+and+regulations+job/Shura+Council+Law/ (2012);
The Basic Law of Governance: http://www.boe.gov.sa/ViewSystemDetails.aspx?lang=en&SystemID=4 (2012)
|
2012/08/20
|
|
Senegal
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code 2012, art. L.83: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Serbia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 74
After the end of voting the polling board shall proceed to determine the results of voting at its polling place.
Source:
Law on the Elections of Representatives of the Republic of Serbia, art. 74.
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/RS/on-the-election-of-members-of-the-parliament/view
|
2022/10/10
|
|
Seychelles
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Elections Act Art. 29: "procedure on the close of poll", and Art. 34: "counting"
https://seylii.org/akn/sc/act/1995/17/eng@2014-12-01#part_III__sec_33
Elections Act Chapter 68A (1996) sec 34-36
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SC/seychelles-electoral-act-1996/view
|
2025/03/03
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
The Public Elections Act (2012), art. 84: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SL/sierra-leone-the-public-elections-act-2012-1/
|
2017/01/13
|
|
Singapore
|
c. Special counting centres
|
The Returning Officer may direct that the votes cast at any polling station or stations in Singapore for an electoral division be counted at such counting place for that electoral division (which may or may not be a polling station) and time as he may specify.
The votes cast at all overseas polling stations shall be counted at such place or places in Singapore as the Returning Officer directs.
Source:
Parliamentary Elections Act, Art. 48A: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/SG/singapore-parliamentary-elections-act-2011/view (2017).
|
2017/03/24
|
|
Slovakia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Section 23
Counting of Votes by Precinct Election Committee
(1) After the close of the poll, the chairman of the Precinct Election Committee shall order sealing up of unused ballot papers and envelopes and opening of the ballot box. Should the Precinct Election Committee have also used, upon request of citizens, a mobile ballot box, it shall mix the contents of both ballot boxes.
(2) The Precinct Election Committee shall take the envelopes with ballot papers out of the ballot box, count the envelopes and compare the number with records on the list of qualified electors. The Committee shall exclude all envelopes other than the ones under Section 21 § 2. It shall also exclude all ballot papers, which were not in envelopes.
(3) After taking the ballot papers out of the envelopes, the Committee shall exclude invalid ballot papers and determine the number of votes gained by each candidate.
(4) Each member of the Precinct Election Committee can see the ballot papers. The chairman of the Precinct Election Committee shall control the counting of votes.
(5) In the room, where the Precinct Election Committee counts votes, the following are entitled to be present apart from its members: the registrar of the Precinct Election Committee, members of superior Election Committees and members of their professional (reporting) units, as well as the persons authorised by the Central Election Committee.
Section 36
Counting votes at a polling district commission
(1) After the end of polling, the chairperson of a polling district commission shall have the remaining unused ballot papers and envelopes sealed and the ballot box opened. Where a portable ballot box was used by the polling district commission at the request of citizens, then the contents of both ballot boxes, after being opened, shall be mixed.
(2) A polling district commission shall take envelopes with ballot papers from the ballot box, count them, and compare their number with the entries in the electoral register. Envelopes which do not meet the terms pursuant to section 28, and ballot papers which were not in an envelope, shall not be taken into account by the polling district commission.
(3) After taking the ballot papers from the envelopes, a polling district commission shall divide and count the ballot papers cast for individual parties or coalitions, shall exclude spoilt ballot papers, and shall establish how many electors of each political party or coalition exercised the right to a preferential vote. Subsequently, the polling district commission shall count the preferential votes cast for individual candidates on the ballot papers.
(4) Any member of a polling district commission may look at the ballot papers. The chairperson of the polling district commission shall supervise the correctness of the vote count.
Source:
Law on Procedure of the Election of the President of the Slovak Republic, on Plebiscite and Removal of the President and on Supplementation of several other Laws, Article 23
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/SK/slovakia-presidential-election-law-1999/view
Act On Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Section 36
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/SK/slovakia-municipalities-election-law-1990/view
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Slovenia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Art. 84: When voting is completed, the electoral committee shall immediately begin to determine the election results. First, unused ballot papers shall be counted and put in a special envelope, which is then sealed. Thereupon the electoral committee shall determine, using the electoral register and the certificates, the total number of voters who cast their votes; then it shall open the ballot box and determine the number of delivered ballot papers, the number of invalid ballot papers and the number of votes given to individual candidates.
For the election of deputies of a national community, the electoral committee shall determine the preferential order of the candidates.
Source:
The National Assembly Election Act, article 84.
|
2017/03/30
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
c. Special counting centres
|
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), Art.43 (1): As soon as practicable after the termination of the voting the presiding officer shall in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, each sealed with his own seal ...
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version),Art. 46 (1): The counting of votes shall commence, so far as is practicable, on such day and on such hours in that day as may be specified by the Commission.
Source:
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version), sec. 43, 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
|
2019/03/01
|
|
Somalia
|
e. No information available
|
Source:
Transitional Constitution of 2012:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SO/somalia-provisional-constitution-of-2012/view
|
2016/11/25
|
|
South Africa
|
a. The polling stations
|
Votes must be counted at the voting station at which those votes were cast, except when —
a. The voting station is a mobile voting station; or
b. In the interest of ensuring a free and fair election, the Commission determines that those votes be counted at another counting venue.
Source:
Electoral Act of 1998 (as amended to 2013), Article 46: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-73-of-1998-as-amended/view
|
2014/05/01
|
|
South Sudan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Votes shall be sorted and counted at the polling station immediately after the Presiding officer of the polling station declares the polling closed.
Source:
National Elections Act of 2012, art. 105 (1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SS/south-sudan-the-national-elections-act-no.-39-of/view
|
2021/06/02
|
|
Spain
|
a. The polling stations
|
Termination of Voting: The voting ends at 20:00 hours.
Immediate Start of Counting: The counting begins immediately after the voting ends.
Public Scrutiny: The scrutiny is public and continues without interruption.
Reading of Votes: The President of the Mesa Electoral reads aloud the votes from each ballot.
Once the counting of the votes is completed and the certificate of the results is signed, all the votes are destroyed, except for those upon which an inconformity was stated.
Source:
Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June: "Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General", art. 95: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
|
2025/04/03
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
c. Special counting centres
|
Counting was conducted in a transparent, well-organised and fast manner in the counting centres/stations observed by EU EOM observers in the presence of representatives of political parties and independent groups and domestic observers.
Source:
EU Observers Final Report on the Sri Lanka 17 August 2015 Parliamentary elections: http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/EUEOM_SriLanka_FinalReport_20151017.pdf
|
2016/02/09
|
|
Sudan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
The National Elections Act 2008, art. 76 (1): http://www.gurtong.org/ResourceCenter/documents/Reports/Elections-09/nationalelectionsact2008.pdf (2012)
|
2012/09/04
|
|
Suriname
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law of 1987, Art. 116 - 118: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Electoral/Sur/suriname.html (2012)
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Swaziland
|
c. Special counting centres
|
After the close of the poll the presiding officer seals all the documentation and ballot boxes and forwards them to the returning officer. The returning officer gives notice to the candidates or their agents informing them of when and where the count is to take place.
Source:
Electoral Law: Elections Order 1992, 40-45.
|
2012/02/24
|
|
Sweden
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law of 2005, Ch. 11, Section 1: http://www.val.se/pdf/2005_elections_act.pdf (2012)
|
2014/08/04
|
|
Switzerland
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 39: http://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19760323/index.html (2014)
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Syrian Arab Republic
|
b. The polling centre
|
Source:
The General Electoral Laws, art 59-63
|
2014/06/03
|
|
Taiwan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
|
2020/04/13
|
|
Tajikistan
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of the votes of voters and the delegates of the voters begins after the completion of the voting and continues without break until the establishment of the voting results。
Ballot counting in the polling stations shall be carried out by polling station commission separately for each candidate. .
Source:
Constitutional Law On Elections to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, amended as of July 26, 2014, article 21.
Constitutional Law on the Election of the President (amended as of January 1, 2006), article 32.
|
2025/02/18
|
|
Tanzania, United Republic of
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Returning Officer shall make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the counting agents as soon as practicable after the close of the poll in the constituency and shall, so far as practicable proceed continuously with counting, allowing only reasonable time for refreshment until it is complete.
Source:
The National Elections Act 2010, art. 71: https://www.inec.go.tz/uploads/documents/sw-1714458261-1506507832-The%20National%20Election%20Act%20%20(CAP%20343)%20Revised%202015).pdf
|
2025/12/01
|
|
Thailand
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes shall be conducted at polling stations.
Source:
Organic Act on the Election of the House of Representatives and the Senate (1998) Article 85
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/TH/thailand-organic-act-on-the-election-of-members-of/view
|
2023/10/11
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of the votes shall begin immediately after the closing of the polling centre or polling station and after a review of any doubts, complaints and challenges. It shall be carried out by the electoral officers at the polling centre or polling station, in the presence of the delegates of the candidacies and, whenever they are present, of national or international observers and media professionals.
Source:
Law no.6/2006 on National Parliament Elections, article 46: https://mj.gov.tl/jornal/lawsTL/RDTL-Law/RDTL-Laws/Law%20no.%207_2011%20Second%20Amendment%20to%20Law%206-2006%20of%20December%20%20Law%20on%20the%20Election%20of%20the%20National%20Parliament.pdf
|
2024/10/02
|
|
Togo
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Code No. 2000-07 as amended, art. 119, 120: http://www.ifes.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Election%20Law/2005/IFES_19/EL00062.pdf (2013)
|
2013/01/03
|
|
Tokelau
|
d. Other
|
Article 6: (1)
(i) The Taupulega shall appoint a committee for the purpose of organising an election, supervising the voting, counting the votes, and declaring the result of the election.
Source:
National Elections Rules 2013, Article 6
http://www.paclii.org/tk/legis/consol_act_2016/ner2013241/
|
2020/01/22
|
|
Tonga
|
a. The polling stations
|
The Officer in charge of each polling station shall after the time for voting has ceased count the votes on the ballot papers and then publicly announce at the polling station the number of votes received by each candidate. He shall then as soon as possible forward a certificate to that effect to the returning officer of the district with the ballot papers. The
returning officer shall as soon as possible ascertain the number of votes received throughout the electoral district by each of the candidates and shall declare the same in writing, together with the names of the candidates who have been elected. Such declaration shall be posted publicly on the post office of the electoral district and similar declarations shall be posted to the Supervisor by registered mail.
Source:
Electoral Act 1989, Art. 16: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TO/tonga-electoral-act-1989-1 (2021)
|
2021/09/15
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Representation of the People Act”, Election Rules, Section 97: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/TT/trinidad-and-tobago-rop-2016/
|
2020/08/22
|
|
Tunisia
|
a. The polling stations
|
Vote counting is conducted at the polling stations once the voting processes are concluded.
Source:
Organic Law n° 2014-16 of 26 May 2014 on Elections and Referenda, art. 135: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/TN/tunisia-organic-law-on-elections-and-referenda/view (2014).
|
2019/08/05
|
|
Turkey
|
a. The polling stations
|
The ballot boxes are opened before all attendants at the voting place and the total number of envelopes removed from the box is counted and recorded. The vote counting is firstly performed by the ballox box committee.
Each county board of elections shall combine the results of the ballot boxes and record the number of votes received by the political parties and independent candidates. Each provincial board of elections shall then combine the results from the counties as recorded by county boards of elections. Upon drawing up the votes counting combination report, the provincial boards of elections send the results by cable to the Supreme Board of Elections, informing it also by phone and radio. The Supreme Board of Elections sums up all the valid votes all over Turkey and calculates the percentage of the valid votes for each political party in the total number of valid votes, and notifies those parties that have surpassed the barrier.
Source:
Basic Electoral Provisions, art. 98: http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1313/file/fc1948ff2445260c54d20269d70c.pdf
Parliamentary Elections Law, art. 31-33: http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1310/file/bbf6e67f60e5492350474eaa9e9a.pdf
|
2016/01/21
|
|
Turkmenistan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Law of Turkmenistan on Elections of Deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan (2008), art. 43;
Law on Elections of the President of Turkmenistan (2011), art. 50
|
2013/03/05
|
|
Turks and Caicos Islands
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Elections Ordinance”, Section 54 & 55: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/TC/turks-and-caicos-elections-ordinance-2018/
|
2025/09/30
|
|
Tuvalu
|
c. Special counting centres
|
"Upon receipt of all ballot boxes from polling stations situated within the
electoral district of which he is Returning Officer, the Returning Officer shall
commence to count votes in the presence of the counting agents and shall, so
far as is practicable, proceed continuously with the counting..."
Source:
Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Act as amended, art. 26 & 28.
|
2012/06/20
|
|
Uganda
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Parliamentary Elections Act as amended in 2010, art. 47
http://www.ec.or.ug/docs/parliamentary%20election%20Act%202005.pdf (2025)
|
2025/12/05
|
|
Ukraine
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
The Law on Elections of People's Deputies of Ukraine (last amended in 2019), art. 88: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/4061-17
|
2019/03/12
|
|
United Arab Emirates
|
b. The polling centre
|
Source:
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/428239-voting-centre-locations-revealed-for-uaes-fnc-election
|
2019/09/25
|
|
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
|
c. Special counting centres
|
43(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the presiding officer shall, in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as desire to affix their seals—
(a)each ballot box in use at the station, sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers and unopened, but with the key attached,
(b)the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together,
(c)the tendered ballot papers,
(d)the marked copies of the register of electors
44(1) The returning officer shall make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the counting agents as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, and shall give to the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin to count the votes.
45(1)The returning officer shall—
(a)in the presence of the counting agents open each ballot box and count and record the number of ballot papers in it;
(b)in the presence of the election agents verify each ballot paper account; and
(c)count such of the postal ballot papers as have been duly returned and record the number counted.
(1A) The returning officer shall not count the votes given on any ballot papers until—
(a)in the case of postal ballot papers, they have been mixed with the ballot papers from at least one ballot box, and
(b)in the case of ballot papers from a ballot box, they have been mixed with the ballot papers from at least one other ballot box.]
54(1) On the completion of the counting at a contested election the returning officer shall seal up in separate packets the counted and rejected ballot papers.
(2) The returning officer shall not open the sealed packets of—
(a)tendered ballot papers,
(aa)tendered postal ballot papers,
(b)the completed corresponding number lists,
Source:
Representation of the People Act 1983, Schedule 1, Art. 43, 44, 45, 54
|
2025/06/23
|
|
United States of America
|
a. The polling stations
|
Each state has its own specific requirements. Mail-in and early-voting ballots may be counted separately, depending on the state.
Votes cast at precinct polling places are first counted at the precincts after the close of polls.
Election officials perform verification at the central location to ensure that vote counting and vote consolidation equipment and software function properly before and after an election.
Source:
Voting System Standards, Vol. 1, Sec. 2.3.5, 2.5.1:
https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/28/Voting_System_Standards_Volume_I.pdf
|
2024/10/15
|
|
Uruguay
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral law: Ley de Elecciones (Ley No. 7812), art. 104, https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/UY/uruguay-ley-de-elecciones-ley-no.-7812-2014/view (2000).
|
2024/12/18
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
a. The polling stations
|
Article 94. Counting of votes at polling station
Source:
Election Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chapter 16, Article 94 (2019): hhttps://lex.uz/docs/4458857?ONDATE=26.06.2019
|
2024/08/22
|
|
Vanuatu
|
a. The polling stations
|
Counting is done immediately after the poling stations close.
Source:
Representation of the People Act, as amended, Schedule 5 (16): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/VU/vanuatu-representation-of-the-people-act-1982-as/at_download/file
|
2016/01/27
|
|
Venezuela
|
a. The polling stations
|
Votes are counted and tallied automatically.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica de Procesos Electorales”, art. 139, 162: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/VE/venezuela-ley-organica-procesos-electorales-2009/
|
2020/11/15
|
|
Viet Nam
|
a. The polling stations
|
The counting of votes must be conducted in the polling station immediately after the voting is over.
Source:
Law of 1997 on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly, as amended and supplemented by laws No. 31/2001/QH10 and No: 63/2010/QH12, art. 64:
http://www.moj.gov.vn/vbpq/en/lists/vn%20bn%20php%20lut/view_detail.aspx?itemid=2526 (2016)
|
2021/03/24
|
|
Virgin Islands, British
|
e. No information available
|
|
2019/03/05
|
|
Virgin Islands, U.S.
|
e. No information available
|
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
e. No information available
|
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Western Sahara
|
e. No information available
|
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
b. The polling centre
|
Following the signing of the minutes confirming the end of vote casting, ballot boxes shall be transferred to the seat of the First Sub-committee where vote-counting shall take place in the presence of the Head of the Committee, two committee members and the candidates or their delegates.
Source:
General Elections and Referendum Law of 2001, art. 103: http://www.scer.org.ye/english/generalelectionslaw.htm (2012)
|
2012/08/22
|
|
Zambia
|
a. The polling stations
|
66. (1) Votes shall be counted at the polling stati
on at which those votes were cast, except when in the interest of ensuring a free and fair election, the Commission, after consultation with the contesting parties or their agents, determines that those votes be counted at another counting venue.
Source:
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 66
http://www.elections.org.zm/media/electoral__act_2006.pdf (2016)
|
2016/06/28
|
|
Zanzibar
|
a. The polling stations
|
Source:
Electoral Act No. 11 of 1984 as amended, art. 78 (1)
http://www.temco.udsm.ac.tz/images/stories/Electral_Laws/ZANZIBAR-ELECTION-ACT-2010.pdf (2016)
|
2016/04/05
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
a. The polling stations
|
After the close of the poll, counting takes place at polling stations by Presiding Officer in presence of polling officers, monitors and observers and the candidates and their election agents as are present.
Source:
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 62. http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZW/zimbabwe-consolidated-electoral-act-amended-2018/view
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
|
2023/09/25
|
