All (Acting) Returning Officers ((A)ROs) must take reasonable steps to have completed verification and begun counting the votes as soon as practicable within four hours of the close of poll.
Where this doesn’t happen in practice – for example, as a result of higher-than-expected turnout levels, queues in polling stations at close of poll, the combination of the UK Parliamentary by-election with other polls, or the particular geography of a constituency, (A)ROs must report this to the Commission.
While it is important that a count is timely, it is also important that the count produces an accurate result that everyone can have confidence in.
The (A)RO will notify you of the exact time and location and will request that you provide a list of who will be attending with you. See our guidance on who can attend the count and appointing counting agents for more information.
The (A)RO will issue instructions or an invitation with any requirements they have in place for attendance. This could include information about any additional security measures in place such as requiring attendees to show ID and bag checks before being allowed entry, as well as information about the expected standards of behaviour for attendees. You should ensure these instructions are followed by yourself and anyone else attending with you.