Employment at elections - Count Supervisor

The purpose of a Count Supervisor is to supervise and lead a team of Counting Assistants to open ballot boxes, verify that the number of votes in the ballot boxes matches the number of ballot papers issued and then supervise the counting of the votes for each candidate or party in the election.

The roles of Count Supervisors are undertaken in a pressurized environment and the greatest of care must be taken to ensure that mistakes are not made by their team

You will be paid as per the rate of fees for the Count role undertaken.

As a Count Supervisor you will:

• Complete e-Training or attend briefing if required
• Have read and agreed to the terms of the Secrecy provisions
• Act impartially at all times and respect confidentiality of material handled
• Refrain from engaging in conversations with candidates, agents, councillors or guests
• Act upon instructions from your Depute Returning Officer

Count Supervisors will work in teams of varying sizes and will be expected to:

• Act impartially at all times and respect confidentiality of material handled
• Be responsible for a team counting the number of ballot papers in a ballot box at each of the stages
• Provide clear instructions to their team as to their roles and reminding them of their responsibilities
• Monitor the performance of counting assistants throughout the count and ensuring that they are counting accurately
• Record the number of votes counted for each stage
• Supervise and assist with the sorting of ballot papers into votes for individual candidates/or parties and count as instructed
• Identify doubtful ballot papers for the Returning Officer or Depute Returning Officer to adjudicate
• Ask the team to Recount if required
• Comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation at all times, taking due care of themselves, colleagues and others in attendance
• Be prepared to work until the count concludes (adequate breaks and drinks will be provided)
• Be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll
• Ensure that all count equipment and stationery is packed down correctly when given permission to do so

A Count Supervisor is not permitted to have carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. 

Essential

• Previous experience as a Counting Assistant
• Literate and numerate
• Ability to work under pressure and handle and count large volumes of confidential papers
• Good timekeeping
• Ability to supervise and treat people with fairness and respect at all times
• Ability to remain politically neutral and not support a political party / candidate at the elections
• Not connected to, nor will assist, any candidate or party at the election
• Ability to comply with the requirement for secrecy and instructions regarding the use of social media

Desirable

• Previous supervisory experience
• Previous customer-service experience