Chief Counter (Verification and Count)

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Counter (Verification and Count)

Department: Electoral Services

Responsible to: Electoral Services Manager

Purpose of the Post

To be responsible for the accurate completion of the count records in connection with the verification of the ballot boxes and the aggregation of votes.

To ensure the delivery of a professional, accurate and transparent verification and count.

Main Responsibilities

  • Attend a training briefing as required.
  • Read and agree to the terms set out in legislation covering the secrecy requirements.
  • Act impartially at all times and respect the confidentiality of the material handled.
  • Be polite and professional when dealing with candidates, agents, elected members or
  • guests.

Duties (Verification and Count)

  • Manage a team of count assistants, checking names against control sheet on arrival,
  • providing an up-date briefing on the process and reminding them about the requirements
  • for secrecy.
  • Monitoring count assistants performance throughout the count, ensuring they are
  • deployed effectively.
  • Ensure that all count assistants have the necessary stationery available on the table and
  • check that the count area folder contains the control forms.
  • Ensure every ballot box, including the postal voting boxes, allocated to the count table
  • are counted accurately, recorded for and checked with the accountancy officers.
  • When all ballot boxes have been verified give instructions to the count assistant to split
  • ballot papers by candidate and count.
  • Ensure that the verification and counting of ballot papers is accurate and all relevant
  • information is recorded as instructed by the Returning Officer.
  • If discrepancies are identified by the accountancy officers, the Chief Counter should
  • instruct count assistants to recount the bundles.
  • On conclusion of count debrief count assistants and release them.
  • Assist with the secure packing and sealing of the ballot papers, stationery, notices etc.
  • ready for transportation back to electoral services store.

The length of time a Count takes will depend on the size and nature of the election and whether re-counts are required. You must be prepared to stay as long as it takes. If the Count takes place immediately after the close of poll, you will start working late into the evening and potentially into the early hours of the morning.

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or who has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. All staff will be required to sign confirm that they will uphold and maintain the secrecy of the poll.

You may be required to perform additional duties not listed above which are appropriate to your role and experience to ensure the smooth running of the election process. Job descriptions can be amended at the organisations discretion to ensure service needs are met.

Person Specification

Experience
Essential  Desirable
  • A basic understanding of the verification and count processes.
  • To have worked previously experience of an election count
 
Skills/Personal Attributes
  • Numeracy, accuracy and attention
  • to detail.
  • Ability to follow instruction.
  • Excellent communication skills and
  • the ability to explain procedures.
  • Good personal presentation.
  • Professional manner
  • A commitment to customer care.
  • Good administration skills and
  • attention to detail.
  • A team player and flexible attitude.
  • Calm under pressure.
  • Punctual and reliable.
 
Other
  • Must not have worked in support of a political party/candidate at the election whether paid or unpaid.
  • Be willing to attend training session.
  • Must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation.
  • Acceptance of waiving of working time directive for period of employment.