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Local elections in Scotland

On this page, you will find all of our guidance and resources for Returning Officers administering a local government election in Scotland. 

The Electoral Management Board's Forms Working Group has produced a number of additional forms, which you may also find useful. You can access those forms from their website at www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/3314102/home. 

Returning Officer role and responsibilities

This part covers:

  • How to use this guidance
  • The Returning Officer's role, responsibilities, skills and knowledge
  • Our performance standards for Returning Officers
Part A: Returning Officer role and responsibilities (PDF) - updated 27 February 2012
Planning and organisation

This part covers:

  • Planning (including the identification and training of staff, the selection and booking of venues and management of contractors and suppliers)
  • How to maintain the integrity of the election
  • Raising awareness
  • Access to proceedings by electoral observers and Commission representatives
Part B: Planning and organisation (PDF)
Click here to view resources for Part B: Planning and organisation

Resources for Part B: Planning and organisation

Election timetable

Project plan (DOC)

Project plan (XLS)

Risk register (DOC)

Risk register (XLS)

Contract development checklist

FAQs for frontline staff

 

Administering the poll

This part covers:

  • The nomination period (including access to the register by candidates, spending limits and the nominations process)
  • The production of notices, poll cards and ballot papers
  • Polling station voting 
Part C: Administering the poll (PDF)
Click here to view resources for Part C: Administering the poll

Resources for Part C: Administering the poll

Design criteria for forms and notices (PDF)

Notice of election

Poll cards

Notice of poll/Statement of persons nominated

Guidance for voters notice

Polling station handbook

Polling station quick guide

Briefing for polling station staff

Ballot paper account

Ballot paper account exercise

Polling station scenarios

Polling station quiz

Checklist for polling station inspectors

Close of poll packing instructions

Secrecy requirements – the poll

Polling station accessibility checklist

Declaration for the companion of a disabled voter

Log to record details of postal voters who claim not to have applied for a postal vote

Personation advice for Presiding Officers

Observer access restrictions log

Nomination checklist for Returning Officers

Briefing for candidates and agents

Nomination packs and guidance for candidates and agents

Register request form

Absent voters’ list request form

Polling agent appointment form

Tellers’ guidance

Teller’s dos and don’ts

 

Absent voting

This part covers:

  • The absent voting timetable
  • Proxy voting
  • Preparations for absent voting processes and the production of stationery
  • Procedures for the issue, receipt and opening of postal votes
Part D: Absent voting (PDF)
Click here to view resources for Part D: Absent voting

Resources for Part D: Absent voting (PDF)

Design criteria for forms and notices (PDF)

Postal voting statement

Postal voting quick guide

Postal vote issuing flowchart

Postal vote opening flowchart

Postal vote retrieval flowchart

Re-issuing of lost/spoilt postal votes flowchart

Forensic Science Service Guidance on signature checking

Postal voting ballot paper account

Postal vote matching spreadsheet

Categories of rejection and criteria for categorising rejections

Postal voting agent appointment form

Secrecy requirements – postal voting

 

Verifying and counting the votes

This part covers:

  • The principles for an effective verification and count
  • Preparations for the count
  • Managing the verification and count
  • Verification and count procedures
Part E: Verifying and counting the votes (PDF)
Click here to view resources for Part E: Verifying and counting the votes

Resources for Part E: Verifying and counting the votes

Information pack checklist

Counting agent appointment form

Secrecy requirements – verification and count

Doutbful ballot paper booklet

Doubtful ballot paper placemat

 

After the declaration of results

This part covers:

  • Storage and disposal of documents
  • Post-election activities
  • Challenges to the result
  • Review of election procedures
Part F: After the declaration of result (PDF) - updated 27 February 2012
Click here to view resources for Part F: After the declaration of result

Resources for Part F: After the declaration of result

Guidance on the retention and inspection of election documents (DOC)

Access, supply and inspection checklist (DOC)

RO feedback form (DOC)

Data collection forms (includes statement as to postal ballot papers and additional data form) (XLS)

Election materials feedback form (DOC)

Outstanding candidate returns (DOC)

 

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