In May 2024, London held one of the largest and most complex elections in its history. Alex Conway, Deputy Greater London Returning Officer for the Greater London Authority, reflected on the scale of this significant event and the vital role that Democracy Counts played in ensuring its success.
A Mammoth Undertaking
“The elections we conducted in London in May 2024 were among the most significant in scale and complexity,” Conway stated. With three separate contests taking place, including the Mayoral election, elections for 14 London Assembly constituency members, and 11 additional Assembly members elected by proportional representation, the scale was staggering. Each contest saw around 2.5 million votes cast, resulting in a total of 7.5 million votes to be counted.
For the first time since the Mayoralty's creation in 2000, the election count was conducted manually instead of electronically. “Previously, electronic scanners were used due to the sheer size of the contest,” Conway explained. This shift to a manual count, partially driven by the abolition of the second-preference vote for the Mayoral election, posed significant logistical challenges.
See a valuable extract from our interview with Alex Conway, Deputy Greater London Returning Officer below:
The Role of Technology
To manage this unprecedented situation, the Greater London Authority partnered with Democracy Counts for technical support. “We needed a robust system that allowed boroughs to record results, transmit them electronically to City Hall for verification, and publish the outcomes efficiently,” Conway said. Democracy Counts delivered the tools to make this possible, ensuring seamless data transmission and real-time verification.
Each of the 14 boroughs overseeing constituency counts required access to the election management system. Democracy Counts not only provided this access but also ensured users were trained to operate the system effectively on count days. “It worked exceptionally well,” Conway noted, highlighting that the process resulted in the fastest GLA election results on record.
Efficient and Timely Results
The speed of results was a marked improvement. “In previous elections, results were sometimes delayed until past midnight. This time, we announced the Mayoral results by mid-afternoon, with the London Assembly results finalized by the evening,” Conway shared. This efficiency was widely appreciated by parties and candidates alike.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
The elections presented challenges unique to London. For instance, Mayoral candidates are required to secure 330 subscribers (registered London electors), with at least 10 from each borough. Verifying these quickly and accurately was crucial, as even one ineligible subscriber could disqualify a candidate.
“Since there is no centralized London-wide electoral register, we had to work with separate registers from each borough,” Conway explained. Democracy Counts provided the tools to verify these subscriber lists efficiently, ensuring accuracy and avoiding potential disputes. “This system proved critical when some candidates failed to meet the requirements and subsequently challenged the process,” he added.
Additionally, unforeseen needs arose, such as maintaining up-to-date lists of agents eligible to act at count venues. Democracy Counts adapted swiftly, updating systems at short notice to ensure smooth operations.
Managing the Manual Count
The manual count was the most demanding aspect of the election. With 42 separate counts happening simultaneously, transmitting data between constituencies and City Hall had to be flawless. “Democracy Counts’ software performed reliably, and having their representative, Manny Verde, on-site was invaluable,” Conway remarked. Verde provided immediate support, ensuring any issues were resolved quickly.
A Successful Election
Reflecting on the event, Conway praised the collaboration: “The biggest challenge—completing the manual count within two days—was met, thanks largely to Democracy Counts' support and their election portal. The technology was instrumental in delivering timely and accurate results, meeting the high expectations of all stakeholders involved.”
This blog captures the complexity and scale of the 2024 London elections while showcasing the pivotal role Democracy Counts played in ensuring their success. It highlights the critical importance of technology and collaboration in overcoming unique challenges and delivering an efficient electoral process.
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