UK Parliamentary Election 2024: Guidance on activity in and around polling places

General guidance for candidates, election agents, polling agents and tellers

Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh

Paul Lawrence is the Returning Officer for parliamentary elections to constituencies within the City of Edinburgh Council area.

The Returning Officer (RO) is the person in charge of the Election.Paul Lawrence, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council

Paul Lawrence is the Returning Officer for the five constituencies within the City of Edinburgh Council area.

Definitions 

  • The Polling Place is the building used for polling. It includes the grounds and the walls, railings or fences surrounding the school or other building. Each Polling Place has between one and five polling stations.
  • The Polling Station is a room, hall or area in a polling place where polling takes place.
  • The Presiding Officer (PO) is responsible for a polling station within the Polling Place.
  • The Senior Presiding Officer (SPO) is responsible for the whole polling place where there is more than one polling station. The PO at station No 1 will normally be appointed as the SPO and has additional duties to the PO duties.
  • The Single Station Presiding Officer (SSPO) is responsible for the polling place where there is only one Polling station and has additional duties to the PO duties.
  • Information Officer – greets voters at the door, gives advice and informationand supports the Presiding Officers across the Polling Place.

Who may be admitted to a polling station?

  • Voters.
  • Candidates.
  • The Election Agent of any candidate.
  • Polling Agents appointed to attend at the polling station (but no more than one can attend at the same time on behalf of the same candidate).
  • Police officers on duty.
  • The companions of voters with disabilities.
  • Persons under the age of 18 who accompany voters.
  • The Returning Officer and members of his staff.
  • Representatives from the Electoral Commission and accredited observers.

No other person will be admitted.