Timing of the Count for the Westminster General Election: A Consultation Paper

Questions for Consultation

The Returning Officer for the three UK parliamentary constituencies in the Highlands is consulting over the timing of the count for the Westminster General Election.  Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council,  is asking political parties and the wider community for their views on the options of holding the count overnight or the following day.  The deadline for responses is 25 January.

The views of stakeholders are now sought on the following questions relating to this document: Timing of the Count Consultation (94kb pdf)

Q1: Do you agree that the principles outlined in para 1.4 are appropriate?

Q2: Are there other principleswhich should be considered for inclusion in this list?

Q3: Para 2.2 identifies two principal reasons for considering change. An assessment of the impact of these issues is given if the paper. Do you:

• accept the analysis of the issues in relation to processing returned postal votes? If no, please set out your analysis of the issues
• agree that the range of risks identified with counting the votes is appropriate? Are there other risks not included and what is your assessment of these?
• consider that the explanation of staffing issues adequately explains the concerns? Are there other issues to be taken into account in relation to employing staff to deliver the election safely?

Q4: Given the analysis of the issues identified and any others that you have noted, which Count start time (overnight or the morning after the close of the poll) do you consider would be most likely to achieve the principles outlined in para 1.4?

Q5: If the Count takes place immediately after the close of the poll:

• what impact would the potential delay in announcing results arising from the postal vote checking requirements have for you?
• if party volunteers/ staff are aware that results could be delayed compared to 2005 is this likely to lead to recruitment problems for you?

Q6: If counts did not start until the morning after polling day, with results available around lunchtime:

• what impact would counting the votes on the day after the poll have on you? (e.g. in terms of costs, staff or volunteer resources, audience, etc)
• would it improve or reduce your organisation's capacity to fulfil its role in the count? Please explain.  

Responses

1. Please send your response by 25 January 2010 to: The Returning Officer, c/o The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX or email: elections@highland.gov.uk