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pcernie
Legend
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm Posts: 45931 Location: Belfast
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_________________Plain English advice on everything money, purchase and service related:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:52 pm |
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belchingmatt
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 3:16 am Posts: 6146 Location: Middle Earth
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Why are postal votes opened before election day?
_________________ Dive like a fish, drink like a fish!
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If one is diving so close to the limits that +/- 1% will make a difference then the error has already been made.
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:02 am |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am Posts: 29240 Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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Probably so they can be verified and counted in advance. If they can start the counts with all the postal votes out of the way it speeds things up.
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:41 am |
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belchingmatt
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 3:16 am Posts: 6146 Location: Middle Earth
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Even if the results aren't published, the fact that this MP knew how some votes were going could result in the party changing its campaign. I don't care if all candidates have equal access to postal vote results beforehand, it's wrong IMO.
_________________ Dive like a fish, drink like a fish!
><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º> •.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
If one is diving so close to the limits that +/- 1% will make a difference then the error has already been made.
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:03 am |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am Posts: 29240 Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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I cannot see any reason why anyone else other than the returning officer needs to know until the polls have closed. Once the polls have closed then the candidates should be told the results. Not before.
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 8:15 am |
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l3v1ck
What's a life?
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:21 am Posts: 12700 Location: The Right Side of the Pennines (metaphorically & geographically)
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:39 am |
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AlunD
Site Admin
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:12 am Posts: 7011 Location: Wiltshire
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_________________ <input type="pickmeup" name="coffee" value="espresso" />
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:42 am |
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jonbwfc
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:26 pm Posts: 17040
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Any candidate is allowed to be present for and allowed to examine the counting process, including samples of the counted votes. So any candidate probably would have some idea of some of the vote totals. However they are legally required not to reveal any of that info. The question I have is - why is it legal to open and count postal votes before the date of the election? I can see why you'd want to do it, I just don't see why you are allowed to.
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 10:28 am |
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Amnesia10
Legend
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am Posts: 29240 Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
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Thinking further about it maybe the candidates should not be allowed to see the counting of postal votes. If they have knowledge of the results they can put in extra effort or make bets on the outcome, already knowing a significant number of votes. Bookies would not like that. Also while they may be discreet about it that does not mean that they will not tell someone about it. Maybe the only solution is to delay the counting till the polls have closed?
_________________Do concentrate, 007... "You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds." https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTkhttp://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:20 am |
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