Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Police and Crime Commissioner elections

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 LRO to reject a ballot paper, they can ask the LRO to mark on the ballot paper “rejection objected to”
  • if a count is suspended for any reason, there is a break between the end of verification and the start of the count and/or ballot boxes with verified ballot papers need to be transported to a different location for counting, counting agents can add their seals when the LRO seals the ballot boxes and envelopes

You and your election agent can do anything a counting agent is allowed to do.1
 

Last updated: 23 April 2024