Calderdale election count error impacted confidence, watchdog says

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 18:03 · Archive

An Electoral Commission report found that incorrect vote totals were declared in Calderdale's May local elections, though the election results themselves were not affected.

An Electoral Commission report published last month found that Calderdale Council's returning officer failed to meet performance standards after votes were initially miscounted in the Rastrick ward during the all-out local elections on 7 and 8 May. The Commission concluded that although the errors did not change the election result and the correct candidates were declared elected, the published candidate vote totals were wrong, which 'had an impact on confidence in the way the count was conducted'.

Three candidates' declared vote totals were wrong. Liberal Democrat Andrew Menzies was declared as receiving 946 votes but actually received 195; Green candidate Teddy Morgan was declared as receiving 90 votes but actually received 540; and Conservative Chris Pillai was declared as receiving 659 votes but actually received 960. Reform UK candidates Simon Briggs, David Small and Jackie Wilson were all declared correctly and duly elected.

Returning officer Robin Tuddenham explained in his report that the verification of ballot papers was completed satisfactorily, but an error during the count process went unidentified until results were declared. He stated that block votes cast for Morgan were incorrectly added to votes cast for Menzies. An unsuccessful Labour candidate, Peter Judge, complained to Tuddenham about what he called a 'flawed' process, though he did not challenge the result.

How it is being reported

• Calderdale vote blunder dented confidence - elections watchdogA mistake during Calderdale’s local election count ‘impacted confidence’ in the process, according to the elections watchdog.Telegraph & Argus · 30 Oct, 12:55
• Calderdale election blunder 'impacted confidence' in countAn Electoral Commission report revealed wrong vote totals were declared in the Rastrick ward.Huddersfield Examiner · 30 Oct, 12:32

In this story: Calderdale Council · Electoral Commission · Andrew Menzies · Teddy Morgan · Chris Pillai · Simon Briggs · Robin Tuddenham · Peter Judge

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