Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

You should ensure that your verification and count arrangements can deliver the key principles for an effective verification and count:

• All processes are transparent, with a clear and unambiguous audit trail. For example:
  • everything is carried out in clear view of all those entitled to attend
  • sufficient information is provided to attendees on the processes to be followed
  • communication of information is consistent and open 
• The verification produces an accurate result. This means that the number of ballot papers in each box either matches the number of ballot papers issued as stated on the ballot paper account or, if it does not:
  • the source of the variance has been identified and can be explained, and/or
  • the box has been recounted at least twice, until the same number of ballot papers is counted on two consecutive occasions
• The count produces an accurate result, where:
  • the total number of votes cast for each party or candidate and rejected votes matches the total number of ballot papers given on the verification statement 
  • the verification, count and result collation are timely
  • the secrecy of the vote is maintained at all times
  • the security of ballot papers and other stationery is maintained at all times
  • communication of information at the verification and count venue(s) is clear and timely

In developing a result collation process, you will need to consider each key stage that contributes to the overall result. 

If the verification and count is not centralised, additional considerations will include verification of the ballot papers and counting the votes in other local authority areas within the constituency, collating local totals and communicating those results. You should ensure that these processes are organised, managed and delivered in such a way as to ensure these principles can be met.