Why is my name marked in the register and why is my number written down on the ballot paper?

The register lists all those people who are eligible to vote. The copy of the register which is used in the polling station is already marked up to show who has a postal vote, to ensure that they are not given another ballot paper on polling day. The poll clerk on duty will put a small mark against your name to indicate that you have voted, so that you can not vote more than once, and also to ensure that nobody can try and vote at the station by pretending to be you.

At the same time, the counterfoil of the ballot paper will be marked with the elector’s number. At the close of poll, the used counterfoils are sealed in one bag and the used ballot papers are sealed in the ballot box until they are opened at the count. At no time can the used counterfoils be compared with the used ballot papers. So why do it?

Very occasionally, the results of elections are called into doubt, eg if people have fraudulently claimed to be somebody else, or if a candidate is suspected of improper conduct which has influenced the election. In those circumstances, the High Court can direct that an examination is made of the ballot papers to determine the extent of the fraud. Only under the supervision of the courts can the counterfoils then be looked at, and the elector’s numbers found. All ballot papers and counterfoils are disposed of after 12 months.