Info
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: 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
Verified: 2025/06/23
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: 46(1) "A candidate or his election agent may, if present when the counting or any recount of the votes is completed, require the returning officer to have the votes recounted or again recounted but the returning officer may refuse to do so if in his opinion the request is unreasonable."
Source: Representation of the People Act 1983, Schedule 1, Art. 46
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/schedule/1/paragraph/46
Verified: 2025/06/23
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