The stages of the postal vote opening process can be summarised as follows:
Stage
Process
1
Postal votes are brought to the opening session in ballot boxes
2
The covering envelopes (envelope B) are taken out and counted
3
The total number of covering envelopes is recorded
4
Covering envelopes (envelope B) are divided between teams of opening staff
5
Staff open each covering envelope (envelope B) and remove the declaration of identity and the sealed ballot paper envelope (envelope A)
6
Staff check that the number on the declaration of identity matches the number on envelope A
7
If the numbers match, staff check that the elector has provided a signature and a date of birth (without checking that they are the elector’s at this stage)
Declarations of identity without a signature and date of birth cause the postal vote to be rejected
8
If the declaration of identity or ballot paper envelope is missing, or the numbers on the statement and ballot paper envelope do not match, the document(s) are set aside, recorded and stored in secure packets
9
The Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) or their representative must verify the dates of birth and signatures provided on the declaration
10
The CEO or their representative must be satisfied that the dates of birth and signatures on the declaration match those previously held on record
11
Following verification of the signatures and dates of birth, declarations of identity are removed from the tables
12
Staff open the ballot paper envelopes (envelope A) and remove the ballot paper
13
Staff check that the number on the back of the ballot paper matches the number on the ballot paper envelope (envelope A)
14
Valid ballot papers (not votes) are counted and the total number is recorded
15
All valid ballot papers are place into ballot boxes and stored before being delivered to the count venue for counting after the close of poll