RECRUITS are needed to help Rugby’s elections run smoothly.
Rugby Borough Council has launched a recruitment drive for new temporary staff to work at polling stations and election counts when residents vote in local and national elections.
The council wants to hear from residents who want to take on the roles of poll clerks or count assistants at future elections.
Poll clerks work with a polling station presiding officer to ensure voting follows procedures. On election day, clerks work from 6.30am to 10.30pm without leaving the polling station. The role requires literacy and numeracy, and the ability to work calmly under pressure.
Count assistants verify and count the votes cast at an election. Assistants need to be at the count venue at 9.30pm and work until the results have been declared, which depends on a number of factors, including the number of votes cast and whether a recount or recounts take place.
Rugby’s returning officer Aftab Razzaq said: “We require a large number of temporary staff to ensure elections run smoothly and in accordance with proper procedures.
“At the local elections in May we had more than 100 staff working at the borough’s polling stations and a team of more than 60 count assistants working at the count.
“We’re keen to increase the number of temporary staff available for elections to ensure we can fill all posts and provide cover in case of illness or holidays.”
All members of the council’s temporary election staff receive full training and payment.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/electionstaff or contact the council’s elections team at [email protected] for more information, or to apply.
