Combined Guidance for Returning Officers at Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in England

As prescribed in legislation, you are required to make arrangements for the verification and counting of the votes at the election as soon as practicable after the close of poll.1   

For the PCC election, the PARO can direct as to the time by which the verification of ballot papers must begin and you should engage with the PARO at an early stage to discuss and develop timings for all of the verification and count processes.

The verification of local government and PCC elections can be carried out simultaneously, however where you are verifying all polls simultaneously, all ballot boxes must be opened and the contents verified before the counting of the votes is commenced.2

You should take decisions on the timing of the count before the notice of election is published and inform those with an interest, including local political parties and broadcasters, at an early stage. There will be an expectation among candidates, parties and the media that the results will be declared as soon as possible after the close of poll. You will therefore need to plan carefully, along with the PARO for the PCC election, how to manage the expectations of candidates, parties and the media. 

Methodology 

The way that you organise and manage the verification and count will have an impact on timing. 

You should consider using a mini-count approach when planning your verification and count. It is widely accepted that breaking down the verification and count, into areas smaller than the relevant electoral area, is particularly effective in achieving an accurate, timely result with clear audit trails.

The results from those areas are then aggregated to achieve an overall result for the relevant electoral area. Any counting issues that may arise will be limited to a more manageable area and any re-counts that may happen as a result, may be limited.

You should allow sufficient time to conduct a well-run count process and ensure an accurate result in which voters, candidates and agents can have confidence.