Once you have decided how the verification and count will be organised and managed, you should ensure that local ROs’ plans will deliver a consistent standard of administration of these aspects of the election, so that the election as a whole delivers an accurate result in which everyone can have confidence.
There are a variety of methods for verifying the ballot papers and counting the votes. You can decide whether to require local ROs to use particular methods, or to leave it to each local RO to choose their preferred method based on what is most appropriate for their local circumstances and explain it to you. It is for you to decide in conjunction and consultation with local ROs in your area which approach to take.
Whatever counting method is used it should be transparent and lead to an accurate outcome. Calculating an accurate result relies on accurate verification and count figures, and you will need to consider specifically how you will ensure that the local totals you receive from local ROs to collate the result are accurate before you accept them. You should produce templates of all documents which local ROs will be required to complete during the verification and count process to provide a clear audit trail.
Breaking down the verification and counting of votes into areas smaller than the whole of the local authority area is one counting method that is particularly effective in achieving an accurate, timely result with clear audit trails. The results from those ‘parts’ are then aggregated to achieve an overall local total for the 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.
Whatever your decision, you should be able to satisfy yourself that ROs’ plans for verifying and counting can meet the principles for an effective verification and count and will deliver a result that is accurate and in which everyone can have confidence.