Presiding Officer
Duties
- Attend training and any briefing sessions
- Take charge of the polling station, ensuring the secrecy and security of the ballot and comply with Returning Officer’s instructions
- Collect ballot box and its contents before polling day and keep it secure
- Liaise with the polling station keyholder before polling day to confirm arrangements for opening and closing the premises
- Transport the ballot box and its contents to the polling station on polling day
- Open and close the polling station on time
- Organise the polling station layout, taking into account all voters’ needs
- Be aware of access issues and familiarise yourself with any special equipment or devices to help voters with disabilities
- Be responsible for the health and safety of polling station staff, voters and visitors
- Keep the polling station neat and tidy
- Instruct and supervise Poll Clerks
- Ask voter's to show their photo identification, check it's on the approved list of acceptable ID and that the photo is a reasonable likeness before issuing ballot papers. In some cases you may need to check voter's ID in a private area
- When required, refusing to give a voter a ballot paper if they do not have an acceptable form of identification
- Ensure voters can cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere
- Check and mark electors off in the polling station register and complete other official paperwork
- Give voters ballot papers and make sure they put them into the ballot box
- Help voters where appropriate, and support disabled voters throughout the process
- Deal with special voting procedures as needed, such as anonymous voters and issuing tendered ballot papers
- Accept completed postal vote packs handed in at the polling station
- Be polite and professional when dealing with all visitors to the polling station, remaining politically impartial at all times
- Maintain order in the polling station and calling for advice and help from the elections office where necessary
- Manage the attendance of official observers and others entitled to be in the polling station, making sure they do not interfere with the voting process
- Monitor the activities of candidate or party supporters, known as tellers, outside the polling place
- Account for all ballot papers issued and unissued, and complete a ballot paper account
- Complete polling station paperwork throughout the day and once the poll has closed
- Once the polls have closed and all votes have been cast, supervise the dismantling of the polling station, leaving the room as you found it
- Transport the ballot box to the designated drop off location
Skills, knowledge and experience
- Good knowledge of the voting system
- Previous experience of working in a polling station on at least two occasions
- Good communication skills and ability to explain procedures to a range of people in a calm and assertive manner
- Commitment to customer care and equal opportunities
- Good administrative skills and attention to detail
- Punctual and reliable
- Access to a vehicle to transport ballot box and equipment
Presiding Officers are required to attend training before every election. Failure to attend and successfully complete training could lead to any appointment offered being rescinded.