A REPORT is to be prepared on why this summer’s General Election count in Dumfries took so long.
Labour councillors were this week successful in securing a review of the count process at DG One overnight on July 4-5.
It got underway just after 10 pm on Thursday July 4, after voting concluded, and results were initially expected by about 4-5 am for both of the region’s Westminster seats.
However, the count dragged on and was not completed until just after 10 am on Friday July 5, making this region one of the last to declare.
Now Cllrs Linda Dorward and Carolyne Wilson want to know why.
They submitted a motion to the recent full council meeting asking for a forensic report and the guarantee of a seminar to allow for further discussion on the “excessive delays experienced”.
Speaking after it was granted, Cllr Dorward said: “The motion is not about accuracy, nor is it about blame as I personally wrote to the chief executive recording our appreciation of the amazing work carried out by all staff pre, during and post the election period.
“Rather, the motion is seeking a review about the application of process, contingency and risk management and accountability to the electorate of Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituencies to ensure an unprecedented delay in announcing the constituency results does not happen again due to lessons learned.
“The Labour Group raised concerns about the delay at the time with the counting process and we have subsequently received questions regarding this from constituents.
“As elected representatives in this region we are pleased that via a report and a seminar, we will be able to answer our constituents’ question on why did it take so long to declare in these constituencies and also reassure them that as far and reasonable and practicable, that delays of this magnitude do not occur again.”
