UK Parliamentary Election 2024: Guidance on count procedures for candidates, election agents and counting agents

Appendix 1 – Requirements of Secrecy

Notification of secrecy requirements – the count

Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended)

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(2) Every person attending at the counting of the votes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not –

(a) ascertain or attempt to ascertain at the counting of the votes the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper;

(b) communicate any information obtained at the counting of the votes as to the candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper.

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(6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.