Arrangements for general and local election counts in Liverpool
General and local elections count for nothing (pardon the pun here) if the counting of ballots is not done properly or effectively.
But when the same elections are on the same day it presents some problems for councils in charge of overseeing democracy.
Rightly Liverpool Council's chief executive Colin Hilton has decided the general election must take precedence and votes for the city's five constituencies will start being counted on the night.
Results are expected to be announced somewhere around 3am in the morning or later.
The local election count will start at 9am and probably be all done my midday.
I'm sure I am not alone in thinking that starting the local election count at 9am on the Friday is far too early.
What it will mean is that candidates, campaigners, and journalists like myself will in all probability end up staying up all night.
There will be a lot of weary people at Liverpool Tennis Centre, and if my experience of counts is anything to go by (in the words of Private Eye) a few will be tired and emotional.
Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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