Guidance and resources for Returning Officers administering council elections in Scotland held on 5 May 2022

If you want to download emblems for political parties, visit our online database.

If you have questions about the guidance, or changes in legislation, please contact the Commission team at the Scotland Office.

We published supplementary guidance in 2021 to support administrators with preparing for and delivering polls against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. This remains available for your reference:

Planning considerations for 2021 polls - S (DOC)
Nominations considerations for 2021 polls - S (DOC)
Polling station considerations for 2021 polls - S (DOC)
Absent voting considerations for 2021 polls - S (DOC)
Verification and count considerations for 2021 polls - S (DOC)

 

Part A

Returning Officer role and responsibilities

This part covers:

  • How to use this guidance
  • The Returning Officer's role, responsibilities, skills and knowledge
  • Our performance standards for Returning Officers

Part A: Returning Officer role and responsibilities (PDF)

Part B

Planning and organisation

This part covers:

  • Planning (including the identification and training of staff, the selection and booking of venues and management of contractors and suppliers)
  • How to maintain the integrity of the election
  • Raising awareness
  • Access to proceedings by electoral observers and Commission representatives

Part B: Planning and organisation (PDF)

Part C

Administering the poll

This part covers:

  • The nomination period (including access to the register by candidates, spending limits and the nominations process)
  • The production of notices, poll cards and ballot papers
  • Polling station voting

Part C: Administering the poll (PDF)

Part E

Verifying and counting the votes

This part covers:

  • The principles for an effective verification and count
  • Preparations for the count
  • Managing the verification and count
  • Verification and count procedures

Part E: Verifying and counting the votes (PDF)

Part F

After the declaration of result

This part covers:

  • Storage and disposal of documents
  • Post-election activities
  • Challenges to the result
  • Review of election procedures

Part F: After the declaration of result (PDF)