Presiding Officers are responsible for the overall running of the polling station, at least one poll clerk and returning the ballot box.
Apply
Electoral Services – Polling staff application form
Pay
The application above states a fee that was issued for 2023, please be aware this will differ, but the fee will be confirmed nearer to the election.
Role overview
As Presiding Officer you will be responsible for the management of your polling station. You will be responsible for assigning work to your Poll Clerk(s), ensuring the accurate delivery of the poll and accounting for all ballot papers. You will be responsible for collecting and delivering your ballot box(es). You may have responsibility for ensuring your polling building is open and closed on the day.
Polling Stations are open from 7am until 10pm. On polling day, staff must arrive at the polling station by 6am to set up the equipment in time for opening the poll. In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff must not leave the premises during polling hours.
Summary of main duties
- Comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer.
- To take charge of the polling station.
- To open and close the polling station on time.
- Act impartially at all times and with respect.
- Observe and maintain the secrecy and security of the ballot.
- To supervise the Poll Clerk(s) at the polling station.
- Maintain order in the polling station.
- Account and be responsible for all the ballot papers, paperwork and ballot boxes.
- Be polite and professional in dealing with electors, candidates and agents and others entitled to be present in the polling station.
Before polling day
- Complete online training session before the deadline, details of which will be provided by the Electoral Services office and attend Presiding Officer briefing session.
- Read the Electoral Commission Handbook for Polling Station Staff, Polling Station Procedures and other related material.
- Liaise with the caretaker of the building in advance of polling day to confirm arrangements regarding the opening and closing of the building.
- Visit the polling place to ensure polling day arrangements are in place.
- Make contact with your polling team.
- Collect the ballot box and contents before the poll and keep secure.
- Check that the ballot box contains everything it should.
Polling day
- Transport ballot box and material to your polling station.
- Organise the layout of the polling station with regards to voter needs.
- Erect the polling booths if necessary. This involves some lifting.
- Be aware of access issues at the polling station.
- Ensure the polling station is opened at 7am.
- Ensure that all signs and instructions are visible and remain in place throughout the day
- Keep the polling station neat and tidy.
- Instruct, supervise and assign the work of the polling team.
- Account for, and be responsible for, all ballot papers, issued and not issued.
- Ensure the proper procedure for voting is followed
- Ensure the Corresponding Numbers List is marked correctly
- Issue ballot papers to voters and ensure that the correct procedures are followed.
- Ensure that when a ballot paper is issued, it bears the official mark, Unique Identifying Mark and is issued correctly to eligible electors
- Ensure that voters cast their votes in secret and put them into the correct ballot box.
- Provide assistance to voters where appropriate.
- Deal with special procedures for voting.
- Ask the prescribed questions of voters when necessary, including when asked to do so by candidates and agents or before the issue of a tendered ballot paper
- Receive postal votes delivered by hand.
- Manage the attendance of those entitled to be present in the polling station, e.g. candidates, agents, representatives of the Electoral Commission and observers, and ensure they do not interfere with the voting process.
- Be polite and professional when dealing with all visitors to the polling station and remain impartial at all times.
- Maintain order in the polling station.
- Monitor the activities of tellers outside polling places and ensure that they do not interfere with the voting process
- Be responsible for health and safety at the polling station for yourself and others.
- Remain at the polling station for the entire hours of the poll.
Close of poll
- Ensure the polling station is closed at 10pm.
- Ensure that the polling room is left neat and tidy.
- Complete the ballot paper account(s) and associated paperwork; pack up documents in accordance with instructions given by Returning Officer ensuring all forms are placed in the correct envelopes.
- Deliver the Ballot Box, paperwork and other material to the Life Centre without delay.
General
- The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.
- All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.