Counting election votes on Friday

The Guardian> reports that:

"Jenny Watson, chair of the Electoral Commission, has told returning officers that counting on Friday would be "entirely appropriate".

Watson was speaking at the annual conference of the Association of Electoral Administrators at Blackpool. I wasn't there, but the Press Association are reporting her comments.

We all enjoy the excitement – or hard work – of election night, but returning officers have a responsibility to make sure the results are accurate and accepted ... The most important thing is that the count is accurate and that voters have confidence in the election result ... It is entirely appropriate for returning officers to decide to hold the count the next day – if they are clear that this is necessary to ensure an accurate result.

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The rumours of Labour plans for electoral fraud are rife and delaying the counts will only add fuel to these particular fires.