Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary general elections in Northern Ireland

Who can attend the count?

You and your election agent are entitled to attend the count.1

Additionally, you can invite one other person to attend the count.

You, or your election agent, may also appoint agents to attend the count on your behalf.2

To gain access to the count all persons will have their name checked against a list of those entitled to be present.

Counting agents will be asked to produce photographic identification of the kind that can be used when voting. Other attendees, if not known to the staff on duty, may also be asked to prove their identity.

You and your election agent, counting agents or the one other person chosen by you to attend, must not attempt to enter the restricted area where the Deputy Returning Officer’s (DRO) staff will reconcile and count the votes.

You will be able to observe the process from immediately outside the restricted area. The restricted area will be clearly defined. The DRO may, however, ask the candidates to enter the restricted area when sharing the provisional result.

All those present at the count must maintain the secrecy of the vote.3   

Last updated: 4 December 2023