Guidance for (Acting) Returning Officers administering a UK Parliamentary election in Great Britain

Accredited observers

Electoral observation is a legitimate and valuable part of the electoral process, and care should be taken not to hinder or obstruct the conduct of any observers. 

While you are permitted to remove an observer for misconduct, and/or limit the number of observers who may be present at any one time during the verification and count ,1  you should exercise caution in doing so. 

You are not entitled to bar all observers from the verification and count; only to limit the number of observers present at any one time, and you should apply this discretion reasonably. 

If you suspend access, or remove an accredited observer from the verification or count, you should ensure there is an audit trail to support your decision. A template observer access restrictions log is available for this purpose.

When managing the attendance of observers you must have regard to the Commission’s Code of practice for observers.2 Should you experience any issues with observers attending the count, contact your local Commission team at the earliest opportunity.

Commission representatives

Commission representatives are entitled to attend the verification and count and to observe your working practices.3  

They can ask questions of your staff and of agents, but will not do so if this would obstruct or disturb the conduct of proceedings. 

You are not allowed to limit the number of Commission representatives at the verification and count.4  

Further information can be found in our guidance on the appointment of accredited observers and Commissions representatives.