You are in the How the votes will be counted section Home … Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England … Verification and count … How the votes will be counted … Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England Print this page | Print full guidance Equality of votes If two or more candidates have the same number of votes, and a further vote for either would see the candidate elected, the Returning Officer (RO) must decide between them by drawing lots.The RO will decide the method of drawing lots. Last updated: 1 December 2023 Book traversal links for Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England What if the vote on a ballot paper is not clear? Declaration of result Modal Title