You are in the How the votes will be counted section Home … Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary general elections in Northern Ireland … Verification and count … How the votes will be counted … Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary general elections in Northern Ireland 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 Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) must decide between them by drawing lots.The DRO will decide the method of drawing lots. Last updated: 4 December 2023 Book traversal links for Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary general elections in Northern Ireland What if the vote on a ballot paper is not clear? Declaration of result Modal Title