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Election count might be delayed Election count might be delayed
(about 1 hour later)
The traditional excitement of election night is under threat from councils who are considering delaying the counting of votes until the following morning.The traditional excitement of election night is under threat from councils who are considering delaying the counting of votes until the following morning.
Electoral returning officers in as many as one in four constituencies are contemplating ending overnight counts.Electoral returning officers in as many as one in four constituencies are contemplating ending overnight counts.
The Norwich North by-election count was held in the morning. Returning officers decide when their local count happens.The Norwich North by-election count was held in the morning. Returning officers decide when their local count happens.
New postal voting rules and higher staff costs are among reasons thought to be behind those considering delays.New postal voting rules and higher staff costs are among reasons thought to be behind those considering delays.
Newcastle upon Tyne has reportedly already opted for a Friday count in the next election and several others including those in Leeds, York and Gloucestershire are considering it.Newcastle upon Tyne has reportedly already opted for a Friday count in the next election and several others including those in Leeds, York and Gloucestershire are considering it.
Eliminating fraudEliminating fraud
In an attempt to combat fraud, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 brought in new rules meaning that both the signature and date of birth of all postal voters must be checked before the votes can be counted. In an attempt to combat fraud, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 brought in rules meaning that both the signature and date of birth of all postal voters must be checked before the votes can be counted.
While some postal votes can be counted early, many are only handed into the various polling stations on the day.While some postal votes can be counted early, many are only handed into the various polling stations on the day.
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The new rules mean more staff are needed - with higher costs for overnight work - and will delay the start of counting after polls close at 2200 BST on election day.The new rules mean more staff are needed - with higher costs for overnight work - and will delay the start of counting after polls close at 2200 BST on election day.
I imagine that what will happen is a crescendo at about 11 or 12 o'clock on Friday morning John TurnerChief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators
Colin Bland, who was the returning officer in the Norwich North by-election, said this would have been the case in Norwich North, where they had about 13,000 postal votes in July's by-election.Colin Bland, who was the returning officer in the Norwich North by-election, said this would have been the case in Norwich North, where they had about 13,000 postal votes in July's by-election.
He said that leaving the count until Friday benefited all involved: "The reality was that everyone had a good night's sleep, they (candidates and staff) were all good-humoured, and worked efficiently. Most importantly, we got an accurate result."He said that leaving the count until Friday benefited all involved: "The reality was that everyone had a good night's sleep, they (candidates and staff) were all good-humoured, and worked efficiently. Most importantly, we got an accurate result."
In constituencies covering more than one council area the extra check is made more difficult as both councils need to be involved. But Jonathan Isaby, who has set up the Save General Election Night group on the social networking website Facebook, said people "enjoyed" staying up and waiting for results.
His campaign argues that delaying the count would be a "backward step" in an era of instant communications and that fewer people would follow the results on television.
John Turner, chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, said that the new postal voting rules would have an impact.John Turner, chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, said that the new postal voting rules would have an impact.
"Complications related to boundary changes and postal votes are, we think, likely to be the driver for it [delaying the count].""Complications related to boundary changes and postal votes are, we think, likely to be the driver for it [delaying the count]."
Concerns have been raised that fewer results on the night may ruin the excitement of election night, with coverage of the results spread over such a longer period. But Mr Turner said excitement would not suffer, adding: "I imagine that what will happen is a crescendo at about 11 or 12 o'clock on Friday morning."
But Mr Turner said it would simply change the timing: "I imagine that what will happen is a crescendo at about 11 or 12 o'clock on Friday morning."