Counting agent
Encyclopedia
A counting agent is appointed by either the candidate standing for election or the candidate's election agent
to oversee the counting at the election count.
Counting agents are only seen as part of elections in the United Kingdom
and the British Commonwealth. In The United kingdom there is no legal requirement to appoint a counting officer.
The number of counting agents which can be appointed is determined by the returning officer
of the election and is usually dependent on the number of counting clerks at the count. Counting agents are appointed after the period when nominations to the election are made. The election timetable will state when counting agents have to be appointed, typically a week before polling day.
The role of the counting agent is to oversee the count itself, though they may not touch any of the ballot papers and must act through the returning officer.
During counts, generally only the candidate, the candidate's partner and the candidate's counting agents may enter the place where voting takes place.
Election agent
In elections in the United Kingdom, as well as in certain other similar political systems such as India's, an election agent is the person legally responsible for the conduct of a candidate's political campaign and to whom election material is sent to by those running the election. In elections in...
to oversee the counting at the election count.
Counting agents are only seen as part of elections in the United Kingdom
Elections in the United Kingdom
There are five types of elections in the United Kingdom: United Kingdom general elections, elections to devolved parliaments and assemblies, elections to the European Parliament, local elections and mayoral elections. Elections are held on Election Day, which is conventionally a Thursday...
and the British Commonwealth. In The United kingdom there is no legal requirement to appoint a counting officer.
The number of counting agents which can be appointed is determined by the returning officer
Returning Officer
In various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.-Australia:In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission or a State Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office...
of the election and is usually dependent on the number of counting clerks at the count. Counting agents are appointed after the period when nominations to the election are made. The election timetable will state when counting agents have to be appointed, typically a week before polling day.
The role of the counting agent is to oversee the count itself, though they may not touch any of the ballot papers and must act through the returning officer.
During counts, generally only the candidate, the candidate's partner and the candidate's counting agents may enter the place where voting takes place.
External links
- The count, Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections...