The Scottish Local Government Elections Order 2007

Attendance at counting of votes

40.—(1) The returning officer shall make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the counting agents as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, and shall give to the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which the returning officer will begin to count the votes.

(2) No person other than–

(a) the returning officer and the returning officer’s staff;

(b) the candidates and one guest each;

(c) the election agents;

(d) the counting agents;

(e) persons performing duties under a contract for services entered into in connection with the conduct of or administration of the election; and

(f) individuals or nominated members of organisations granted permission to observe in accordance with sections 8 and 9 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006(1),

may be present at the counting of the votes, unless permitted by the returning officer to attend.

(3) A person may only be permitted by the returning officer to attend at the counting of the votes if the returning officer–

(a) is satisfied that the efficient counting of the votes will not be impeded; and

(b) has either consulted the election agents or thought it impracticable to do so.

(4) The returning officer shall give the counting agents all such reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings, and all such information with respect to them, as the returning officer can give them consistently with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the discharge of the returning officer’s duties in connection with them.

(1)

2006 asp 14.