Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

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Reconciliation of count totals

Once all of the ballot papers have been sorted and any doubtful ballots adjudicated, the key task of reconciliation can begin.

You must count all of the bundles and part bundles of ballot papers showing a valid vote for each candidate. 

You must then add the total for each candidate to the total number of rejected ballot papers. This total figure should match exactly the figure giving the total number of ballot papers obtained at the end of the verification process. 

If the two figures agree you should proceed to the process of consulting the candidates and agents on the provisional result.1  

Procedure for unreconciled results

You should be satisfied that the results or totals (as appropriate) reflect the ballots received. If the figures do not reconcile, you should take steps in order to identify and rectify the discrepancy such as:  

  • checking the storage area and check to ensure that all ballot boxes have been opened and are empty
  • checking all floors and surfaces for ballot papers that may have been dropped in the count venue
  • re-checking the verification figures and reconciliation for calculation mistakes
  • ensuring that all rejected ballot papers have been accounted for
  • checking that all bundles and part bundles have been counted
  • consider recounting the ballot papers in the bundles

You should also carry out any other checks you deem necessary.  The following table outlines the processes to be taken to reconcile single or multi-member vacancies.

Reconciliation for single member vacancies Reconciliation at multi-member vacancies
  • All of the bundles and part bundles of ballot papers showing a valid vote for each candidate must be counted. 
  • The total for each candidate should be added to the total of rejected ballot papers and this figure should match exactly the figure giving the total number of ballot papers obtained at the end of the verification process.
  • When reconciling multi-member vacancies it is important to reconcile votes and ballot papers and avoid confusing one with the other. 
  • All of the votes for each candidate should be counted, as well as those votes that have not been used. Additionally, all rejected ballot papers and those rejected in part should be counted.
  • Where a ballot paper is rejected in part, you should record the number of ballot papers received and the number of actual votes rejected on those ballot papers.
  • The valid votes for all of the candidates should then be added to the number of rejected votes (the number of rejected ballots multiplied by the number of vacancies plus the rejected votes from those ballots rejected in part), plus any unused votes and this total figure should match exactly the verification figure obtained at the  end of verification multiplied by the number of vacancies. 
  • If the two figures agree, you should proceed to the process of consulting the candidates and agents who are present on the provisional result.2  
  • If the figures do not agree, you should follow the procedure as outlined at the top of this page.

At any mayoral election the reconciliation of ballot papers is the same process as at a single-member vacancy election.

At a combined authority or combined county authority mayoral election, you must as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the count (including any re-count) draw up a provisional statement which you must share with the CARO/CCARO.3  The CARO/CCARO will advise you of the processes that are in place for considering the statement and dealing with requests for recounts.

Last updated: 14 March 2024