| Print full guidance

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 to reject a ballot paper, they can ask for the ballot paper to be marked with the words rejection objected to and/or gwrthwynebwyd y gwrthodiad
  • if a count is suspended for any reason or there is a break in the proceedings, counting agents can add their seals when ballot boxes and envelopes are sealed

The election agent of a party list, an individual candidate and their agent can do anything a counting agent is allowed to do.1

Last updated: 20 March 2026