Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England Share on Email Print this page Print full guidance You are in the How the votes will be counted section Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England Verification and count How the votes will be counted 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 Returning Officer must decide between them by drawing lots. The Returning Officer will decide the method of drawing lots. Last updated: 1 December 2023 Book traversal links for Equality of votes What if the vote on a ballot paper is not clear? Declaration of result