Explanatory Notes

Greater London Authority Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 29

11th November 1999

Commentary on Sections

Part I: the Greater London Authority

Worked example of Mayoral poll

50.There are four candidates, A, B, C, and D. Counting the first preference votes gives the following result.

CandidateVotes
A900,000
B600,000
C1,100.000
D400,000
Spoilt papers10,000
Total ballot papers3,010,000

51.Candidates A and C remain in the contest and candidates B and D are eliminated. The second preference votes of candidates B and D are then examined, revealing the following choices.

CandidateVotes
A550,000
C300,000
Other150,000
Total1,000,000

Note: "Other" includes papers where the second preference vote was spoilt, unclear or not recorded or where the vote was for one of candidates B or D.

The final vote is therefore -

First preferenceSecond preferenceTotal
A 900,000550,0001,450,000
C 1,100,000300,0001,400,000

And candidate A is returned as Mayor.