Timing of the General Election count

David Kennedy, Acting Returning Officer for Northampton North and Northampton South, said:

"Parliament sets the legislative framework for General Elections and if Parliament legislates for counts to commence within four hours of the close of poll then this will happen in Northampton.

"However it is important that such proposals are not passed into law without proper consideration of the risks that this proposed time deadline creates. Parliament has passed previous legislation which has created the need to consider Friday counts in the first place.

"I would therefore urge the Ministry of Justice to consult fully with Acting Returning Officers, the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Electoral Commission before passing this amendment. I would also request Parliament to indemnify Acting Returning Officers and Councils against any additional costs and risks associated with this change.

"The most important thing is that the accuracy of the election result is assured and that voters are confident that the count process is sound."