Election jobs

The role

Overnight and daytime count assistants assist in the verifying and counting of ballot papers after the close of poll.

The role of the count assistant is not difficult, but duties are undertaken in a pressurised environment and the greatest of care has to be taken to ensure that mistakes are not made.

Count assistants work in teams as designated by the Returning Officer. Each team is allocated to a count supervisor, who will provide a short briefing before the count begins.

Depending on the election, the count may take place in full directly after the close of poll at 10pm, or it will be broken into two sessions: one after the close of poll at 10pm and one the following day. This will be confirmed during recruitment for the election.

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 and bring your own food.

Duties:

• Verify the contents of the ballot boxes
• Divide ballot papers into votes for individual candidates and count them using the method designated by the Returning Officer
• Re-count if required

All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

How to apply

If you are interested, please download the form and return it to us using the contact details below. You can do this at any time of the year.

In the run-up to an election, we will write to everyone listed on our staff database and ask them to indicate their availability. If you are available we will appoint you to a position and send you a letter.

Only individuals who have a right to work in the United Kingdom and with no political affiliations are eligible to work at elections.

Election staff must not work on behalf of a candidate during an election campaign, or be related to any prospective candidate.

Last updated: ‎15‎/‎01‎/‎2019‎ ‎11‎:‎02