Combined Authority and Combined County Authority Returning Officer guidance for Combined Authority Mayoral elections

You should ensure that all processes are transparent and carried out in clear view of all those entitled to attend, with information provided to attendees on the processes to be followed.

Only the following people are entitled to attend the result calculation:

• you and your clerks1
• local ROs and a clerk chosen by each of them2
• candidates and one person chosen by each candidate3
• election agents (any sub-agent appointed for the area in which the result calculation takes place may attend while the election agent is not present)4
• Electoral Commission representatives5
• accredited observers6

You may only permit other people to attend if you are satisfied that the efficiency of the calculation will not be impeded and you have consulted the election agents or thought it impractical to do so.7

You must give election agents notification in writing of the time and place at which the results collation will begin.8 You should also advise of any security arrangements in place and the expected behaviour of attendees, particularly during the delivery of verbal announcements.

You must give those entitled to attend reasonable facilities for overseeing the results collation. You should also ensure that anyone else who is entitled to attend has an unrestricted view of the proceedings, while also ensuring that they will not be able to interfere with the work of your staff.