Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

You should ensure that all processes are transparent and carried out in clear view of all those entitled to attend, with information provided to attendees on the processes to be followed.

The following people are entitled to attend the collation of results:1

• you and members of your staff
• each individual and party list candidate and one other person chosen by each of them 
• election agents 
• Electoral Commission representatives
• accredited observers

You may only permit other people to attend if you are satisfied that the efficiency of the calculation will not be impeded, and you have consulted the election agents or thought it impractical to do so.2  

You must give election agents notification in writing of the time and place at which the results collation will begin.3

You must give those entitled to attend reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings and all such information about them, including for satisfying themselves that the ascertainment of the result is accurate.4 You should also ensure that anyone else who is entitled to attend has an unrestricted view of the proceedings, while also ensuring that they will not be able to interfere with the work of your staff.

Additionally, your risk assessment may have identified security concerns which justify the need for all attendees to undergo additional checks, such as requiring attendees to show ID and bag checks before being allowed entry, and this can include Commission representatives and accredited observers.