The practicalities
Getting to the Count
The Count will be held in the Highland Hall in the Royal Highland Centre from 10.00 pm on Thursday 4 July 2024
There is ample free parking at the Count venue.
The venue is about 20 minutes’ walk from the bus stop for the airport buses (Lothian’s Airlink 100, and Skylink 200, 300 and 400) or slightly further from the Edinburgh Tram stops. Citylink also operates services which drop off on the A8 close the Royal Highland Centre.
Security passes
A reception desk for candidates, agents and guests will be in the entrance foyer of the Highland Hall
- admission passes for all candidates, guests, election agents and counting agents must be collected in advance and must be worn at all times in the count venue.
- if, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has not been possible to collect the passes in advance, you may collect them on the night. This will be the exception rather than the norm. Passes are allocated to individuals and we have a note of who is wearing each pass. Photo ID will be required if passes are collected at the count.
Refreshments
A cafeteria will be open overnight selling sandwiches, teas, coffees and hot snacks.
First aid
Qualified first aiders will be on duty. If you require assistance, ask security staff or any staff with a radio to call for first aid.
Dos and Don’ts in the count hall
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited within the Highland Hall. If you leave the building, please remember to take your admission pass and photographic ID or you may not be allowed to come back in.
Mobile phones and other electronic equipment
Mobile phones, cameras or video equipment must not be used near the count tables.
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets etc are permitted within the building and you may tweet live during the count process. The hashtag #EdinGE24 will be used throughout the count. However, use of mobile phones is restricted in the count hall.
- You are not permitted to take photos or video where the contents of any ballot paper could be identified. This is important to ensure the secrecy and integrity of the election.
- As most mobile phones have cameras, you must not use them when you are near the counting table as you could be perceived to be taking photographs or videos of papers and thus breaching the secrecy of the vote.
- Please make sure that your phone is on silent in the count hall.
Agents and observers must move well away from the counting tables when using phones. Agents are asked to limit their use of mobile phones as this can distract staff and delay the count.
Signs will be displayed at the count explaining this policy and it is also stressed in the guidance to media attending the count.
Media
Accredited media representatives from the press, radio and TV will be present within the count hall. This will include television cameras and photographers. Cameras will not be allowed to approach the counting tables without supervision or, in the case of television, to focus on the tables in close-up. Media representatives will only be permitted into the counting areas under the close supervision of the Returning Officer’s media team.
Social Media
Please take the time to read the secrecy requirements for this event as detailed in Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.
Many of us are now using social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate and keep up to date with the latest news. Please remember that all postings to social media should be considered to be in the public domain. You should, therefore, only post comments, videos and pictures which you/your party/campaign group would be happy to share with any group of friends or strangers.
Livestreaming
Livestreaming or filming of the event is permitted but there must be no close-up images/shots of ballot papers that could put the secrecy of the event at risk. We have been made aware that some media outlets plan to live-stream and broadcast from the count event, this includes video and audio. The Council's media team will be available in the hall to support any media queries.
The stewards will be ensuring the safety of all attendees at this event, please report any issues to the stewards or the Election Team.