Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

What does a counting agent do?

Counting agents have a number of important roles to play at the count:

  • they observe the counting process and make sure that it is accurate
  • they can draw to the attention of count staff any doubtful ballot papers
  • if they disagree with a decision by the Returning Officer (RO) to reject a ballot paper, they can ask the RO to mark on the ballot paper “rejection objected to”
  • if a count is suspended for any reason, counting agents can add their seals when the RO seals the ballot boxes and envelopes

You and your election agent can do anything a counting agent is allowed to do.

Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf: 1 Rhagfyr 2023