Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

You should include space and opportunity for the media to report on the result of the election. 

You have discretion to decide which representatives of the media you allow to attend.1 A range of organisations or individuals across print, broadcast, online, podcast or social media platforms may request to attend the count. There are several factors you could take into account when deciding who to allow, including whether they represent a bona fide media organisation, are regulated by Ofcom, IPSO or Impress, and the reach of their organisation. Whichever criteria you use should be applied fairly and consistently across all requests. You may also wish to agree a policy about whether media staff associated with parties or candidates taking part in the election are permitted to attend in a media capacity. Again, this should be applied consistently.

As with all attendees, you must ensure that media representatives do not interfere with the process or compromise the secrecy of the vote.

In preparation for representatives of the media attending your verification and count you should consider:

• contacting principal broadcast organisations in advance
• outlining the press facilities available
• arranging for sound systems to be used for the announcements and for any live feeds
• providing an opportunity for media representatives to inspect the verification and count venue to see what space and facilities are available, and give them the opportunity to raise any issues or requirements with you, including any technical requirements to avoid problems on the night and allow provision to be made in the layout of the venue
• how you will ensure that the media are aware of any restricted areas and procedures; e.g. that camera operators are aware they must not overview sensitive information (such as close-ups of ballot papers) or obstruct count staff

Throughout the proceedings you should ensure that the media representatives are aware of:

• the arrangements for the declaration of results, such as alerting them shortly before the results are to be declared so they can move into position and providing them with written copies of the results
• the arrangements for sound systems to be used for the announcements and for any live feeds and who to approach if they are asked any technical electoral questions
• the expected finish and declaration time
• the nominated media spokesperson for the count who will be available to deal with media enquiries

To assist you and your public relations team we have produced, jointly with the national TV news broadcasters, some tips for managing the media at the count.

You can find the Tips on managing the media at the count document in the verification and count section of our resource page. 

The Commission will produce a media handbook that you can include with any information pack you are producing for the media attending the verification and count.