Dumfries and Galloway councillors are pushing for a “forensic review” to investigate the reasons behind the delays in counting votes during this year’s General Election. Results for the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, and Dumfries and Galloway seats were some of the last to be announced across the UK.
Labour Councillors Linda Dorward and Carolyne Wilson are spearheading the call for a thorough review to understand the circumstances leading to the extended counting process. They have tabled a motion to be discussed during Thursday’s full council meeting. The motion highlights the need for a comprehensive examination of the election preparation process and contingency planning, specifically focusing on the issues encountered during the count on July 4 and 5.
The councillors emphasise the importance of learning from these challenges to ensure better preparedness for future elections and to prevent such significant delays in the counting process from occurring again. The motion proposes the presentation of a lessons learned report on the counting process during July 4 and 5 at the full council meeting scheduled for December 12.
The delay in announcing the Dumfriesshire result until after 9 am on July 5 and the Dumfries and Galloway declaration after 10 am contrasted with the 2019 General Election, where results were disclosed by 5 am. A report attached to the motion from council chief executive and returning officer Dawn Roberts indicates that a debrief with election staff is standard practice after each election, with feedback invited from all candidates and agents to inform the review process.
The returning officer is committed to sharing the outcomes of the debrief with elected members and other stakeholders once the process is completed. The motion underscores the councillors’ dedication to ensuring accountability and transparency in the electoral procedures, aiming to address the issues that led to the prolonged counting times experienced in the recent General Election.