Today I attend the opening of the first batch of Postal Votes received for the May 5th Election.
This is the first time I have seen and witnessed the process.
All those attending agree to secrecy requirements, something to do with the Representation of the Peoples Act 1983 (as amended)
When a voter returns their envelope to the council it is placed in a sealed ballot box.
At the daily opening the envelopes are removed from the ballot boxes and sorted into wards by counting officers and passed to two counting officers.
The envelopes are opened and numbers checked against a list.
The slip with the signature is removed and placed in one tray, these are then passed through a scanning machine to verify the signature and date of birth.
(In past elections it is very common the voter has not completed this section and the vote is rejected, so if you do use a postal vote it is very important for you to read all the instructions carefully. Mistakes can not be rectified if you are unsure you can always give Rutland County Council a call for advice)
When all have been verified the envelope contain the ballot paper are opened, the counting officer check the number against a list and and the ballot papers placed down are then counted and placed in a large envelope and stored in a secure place until the count.
Mr Pook assures me not under his pillow.
