Election count on election night

Bath MP Don Foster has written to Bath & North East Somerset Council asking them to count the general election result on election night itself, and not wait until the following day.

Local authorities are allowed to make their own choice as to when to count, and B&NES are expected to announce their decision at the end of this month. Liberal Democrat group leader on the Council, Cllr Paul Crossley has co-signed the letter with Don. Don said,

It’s my belief that democracy is best served by us counting on the evening. Voters are entitled to expect a speedy conclusion to elections, and I think it’s important that the count takes place on election night. That’s why I’ve written to the Council to urge them to hold the count on the night of the election.


House of Commons Speaker John Bercow MP was asked about the election count in the House and said:

I am a passionate believer in instant, not slow motion, democracy. It seems to me that it is in the interests of the House and the country that the count should take place on the night, and there are two overwhelmingly compelling reasons why: first, I believe that there could be a threat to the security of the ballot if the count is delayed; and, secondly, it seems to me that on the day the election takes place, it should be possible for the count also to take place so that we get the result speedily. Frankly, it should not be beyond the wit and sagacity of humankind-or indeed of local authorities-to ensure that that happens.

There is no need to risk the security of the ballot by holding the count the day after the election. I hope that we will have a speedy count in Bath and North East Somerset.

Even those who don’t ordinarily take an interest in politics love the buzz of election night, it would be a shame to lose that buzz in Bath.

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