What is the role of the counting agents?
Counting agents are people appointed by the candidate, or his / her election agent, to attend the counting process. The actual number that may be appointed will be notified after nominations close. Note, that there is no requirement to appoint a counting agent. Counting agents do not need to be an elector for the area of the election. The agent may act for more than one candidate at a local government election. No official appointed by the (Acting) Returning Officer at the election may act as a counting agent. A candidate may act as a counting agent. At European parliamentary elections, the counting agent may attend both the verification and counting of the votes. A counting agent’s duties can be summarized as follows; • To maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy requirements; • To be present at all stages of the count; • To oversee the counting process and see it is undertaken in an orderly, accurate and correct manner; • To draw to the attention of the counting assistants any bad
