Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Scottish Parliament election

You should be satisfied that the number of votes for each candidate or party (as appropriate) is accurate before proceeding to a provisional result.

All processes should be undertaken within the framework of maximum openness and transparency implemented throughout the various stages of the count so that all candidates and agents can have confidence in the processes and the provisional result provided.

Once satisfied, you should advise candidates and agents of the provisional result and seek their agreement on the announcement of the result. You should make it clear that candidates and agents are entitled to request a recount.1

In addition, for the regional contest, you should make it clear that it is not possible to request a recount at the regional level, only at the constituency level.

You must give the candidates and agents sufficient time to digest the provisional result before proceeding with the declaration.2 It is at this point that candidates and agents may request to have the votes recounted, or following a recount, recounted again.3

You must consider any recount request but may refuse if, in your opinion, the request is unreasonable.4 You may, however, consider offering the candidates and agents the opportunity to inspect the bundles of the ballot papers as a means of reassuring them that the result is accurate.

Recount procedures

If you agree to recount the votes, you should inform the candidates and agents present before the recount commences and brief them on the processes you are going to follow. As with the original count, you should carry out any recount in full view of those present. You are entitled to reconsider which ballot papers should be rejected during the recount (or any further recount).5

You should inform the RRO that a constituency recount is taking place, making the RRO aware will ensure that they can communicate what is happening to those present at the allocation of regional seats.

You should consult the candidates and agents on the revised provisional result in the same way as they were consulted on the provisional result at the conclusion of the original count.

It is possible to have more than one recount. Again, it is for you to consider any request, and you may refuse if in your opinion the request is unreasonable.