Standing up for a traditional election night

Labour’s challenger in Bosworth for the General Election is appealing for local officials to reconsider their decision and to save the traditional election night count.

Despite a vote in the House of Commons and widespread cross-party support across the country for traditional election night counts officials at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council appear to be sticking to their plan of starting the constituency’s election count on the morning after polling day.

Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate Rory Palmer said:

“I think all candidates and our campaign teams understand the importance of accurate counting and the need to comply with important requirements to ensure ballot security. However, there can be no denying that the drama and excitement of election night is a much valued British tradition.”

“I am appealing for the local officials in Hinckley and Bosworth to reconsider and to plan a traditional election night count.”

Labour’s Rory Palmer has first hand experience of the frustration of having to wait until the day after polls had closed for the count to begin and result to be declared:

“When I was elected as a councillor the count was done on the Friday after voting had ended on the Thursday, whilst I was of course delighted to have won the drama and excitement was not the same as a traditional election night.”