Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

You may appoint other people as agents to attend the count.1

Anyone apart from those listed below can be appointed as a counting agent. The following people are not allowed to be counting agents:

• the RO or a member of their staff2
• a partner or clerk of the RO or a member of their staff3
• anyone not entitled to vote at the election as a result of the report of an election court or a conviction for a corrupt or illegal practice under the Representation of the People Act 19834

The same person may be appointed as a counting agent for more than one candidate.5 Both you and your election agent can also automatically act as one of those agents without the need of an official appointment.6

The RO will tell you the maximum number of counting agents you can appoint.7 All candidates will be allowed to appoint exactly the same number.

At the count, unless there are special circumstances, the number of counting agents allowed for each candidate will not be less than the number obtained by dividing the number of counting assistants (i.e., those staff employed on the counting) by the number of candidates.8

The request to appoint these agents must be made in writing to the RO.9 It must contain the names and addresses of the people being appointed.10 The RO will provide forms you can use for this, or you can use the counting agent appointment forms below.

The deadline for appointing counting agents is by no later than the fifth working day before the poll.11

If an agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, you may appoint another agent in their place by submitting the relevant appointment form to the RO.12 Any new appointment in these circumstances must be made without delay.

For more information on what agents can and cannot do and what they can expect to see at the count, guidance can be found in What does a counting agent do?