Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

Counting agents can be appointed to observe the verification and counting processes.1 You must give counting agents who have been appointed notice in writing of the time and place at which the verification and count will begin.2  

You must be notified in writing of the appointment of counting agents by not later than five working days before the poll for their appointment to be in force for the verification and count.3 The Commission has developed the following form for the notification of appointment of counting agents. 

Limiting the number of agents in attendance

You are permitted by law to limit the number of counting agents appointed.5 The number that may be appointed by each candidate must be the same and, unless there are special circumstances, must not be less than the number obtained by dividing the number of counting assistants (i.e. those staff counting the ballot papers) by the number of candidates.6   

When determining the maximum number of counting agents, each candidate should, as far as possible, be permitted to appoint sufficient numbers of counting agents to enable full and proper scrutiny of the verification and count processes. You should, however, consider any health and safety implications, including fire regulations for the verification and count venue, when deciding on maximum numbers of counting agents. 

For more details on who may attend the verification and count see Attendance at the verification and count. 

Secrecy and conduct requirements

Anyone attending the count has a duty to maintain the secrecy of the count. All Counting Agents should be supplied with the following requirements of secrecy for the count.

In particular, anyone attending must not: 

• ascertain or attempt to ascertain number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper 
• communicate any information obtained at the count as to the candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper