GUIDE TO RETURNING OFFICERS
IN THE CONDUCT OF
ELECTIONS
INTRODUCTION
• Returning Officer (RO) and Assistant Returning
Officers (AROs) are appointed in terms of section 4 of
Electoral Act
• Most senior officer and overseer in the electoral
process
• Responsibilities start at nomination time through to
delivery of election materials to High Court.
• Thorough knowledge of the process is essential as he
will be called to resolve issues when there is
uncertainty between poll staff and
candidates/agents.
• Correct application of the electoral law.
BEFORE POLLING DAY
• All equipment consisting of various item of
stationery, ballot boxes, booths ballot papers
etc will be issued by the RO.
• Emphasis on their safety.
POLLING HOURS (50)
• Poll shall commence at 0630 hrs and close at
1900 hrs with a provision of extension of not
more than 2 hours.
ARRANGEMENT AT POLLING STATIONS (S52)
• ROs must ensure that the arrangement at
polling stations is maintained in accordance
with the law.
ADJOURNMENT OF POLL (S65)
• Once notified of an adjournment, ROs must
reach the affected polling station as soon as
practicably possible and notify the Secretary
COUNTING AGENTS (S68)
• Each candidate may appoint not more than
TWO persons to be his Counting Agents and
attend at the counting centre.
• Notice of appointment, in writing, stating
names and addresses of the agents shall be
given to the RO by the candidate on polling
day.
• A candidate may replace a counting agent and
notify the RO in writing, stating the names
and addresses of the counting agent so
appointed.
COUNTING OF VOTES (S69)
• The following are allowed at the counting
centre;
Returning Officer
Assistant Returning Officers
Candidate and spouse
Election Agent (S82)
Counting Agents
• Any other person will be present at the discretion of the RO
• No person is allowed to copy the serial number of any ballot
paper they see during counting.
PROPOSED SITTING ARRANGEMENT
R.O.
1.5m
Candidates/Agents
Public
Ballot boxes
VERIFICATION OF BALLOT PAPER ACCOUNT (70)
• The RO shall verify the ballot paper account of
each polling station as and when its ballot box
arrives.
• Open the sealed packet containing;
Unused ballot papers
Spoilt and cancelled ballot papers
 Determine the number of ballot papers in the
ballot box by counting.
• RO shall prepare a statement of the result of
verification at the back of Form U.
• Return unused/spoilt/cancelled papers to their
packets and reseal.
VERIFICATION OF BALLOT PAPER ACCOUNT (70)
• When he has verified for all the polling
stations, the RO shall mix together the ballot
papers from ALL the ballot boxes and start
counting.
METHOD OF COUNTING (S71)
• The RO shall then open every ballot paper and
sort the according to the parties/candidates.
• Tendered ballot papers would not be opened
but collected in a separate receptacle.
METHOD OF COUNTING (S71)
• RO shall endorse the word “rejected” on any
ballot paper rejected;
 Writings eg. Names, words
 More than one party voted
 Overlapping marks
 Marks outside party boundaries
• Acceptable ballot papers;
Intention of the voter
 Tick, cross, dot, line, multiple marks on one party
• Candidates/agents may object to a decision
made by RO on the ballot paper and RO shall
endorse the word “objected to” on it.
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
CROSS
(X)
PARTY NAME
ABBREV.
KWENA YA
METSI
KYM
VISION PARTY
VP
KA KOO
PARTY
KKP
BAGAKA
UNION
BU
SYMBOL
Issac Mompoloki Koogotsitse (KKP)
CROSS
(X)
METHOD OF COUNTING (S71)
• The RO shall then count the ballot papers in
favour of each candidate and record the
results in the result form, Form T, which he
shall sign and any other counting agent willing
to do so.
• Ballot papers must be kept facing upwards.
STATEMENT OF REJECTED B/PAPERS (S72)
• RO shall prepare a statement of rejected
ballot papers, in annexure H, showing serial
number and reason for rejection. Candidates/
agents may copy it.
DECISION OF RETURNING OFFICER (S73)
• Decision of RO in relation to any ballot paper
shall be final
DEALING WITH BALLOT PAPERS (S74)
• Make into separate packets;
 Counted b/papers
 Rejected b/papers
 Tendered b/papers
• RO shall not open;
 Packet containing marked election roll
 Packet containing the tendered votes list
RECOUNT (S75)
• Candidates/agents may ask for a recount and
RO may refuse if he finds the request
unreasonable
EQUALITY OF VOTES (S76)
• In case of a tie of votes between the leading
candidates, a fresh election will be held at a
later date.
DECLARATION OF RESULTS (S77)
• After ascertaining the results, the RO shall;
 certify by endorsing on the writ the return of the
elected candidate
 declare the result of the poll by reading out
aloud the endorsement
 return the writ to the Secretary, together with
copy of Form T
DOCUMENTS TO HIGH COURT (S78)
•
All ballot papers, tendered votes list, marked copy
of election roll, Form U, annexure H and Form T
shall be delivered to the Registrar of High Court.
THANK YOU
&
GOOD LUCK