Role of the Returning Officer

The role of the Returning Officer must be impartial and the role is to ensure that the conduct of an election is in accordance with the law.  The Returning Officer's responsibility is one of a personal nature distinct from the duties as an employee of the Council.  The parameters of the responsibility are defined by legislation (Representation of the People Act 1983).  The role of the Returning Officer is for Local Government Elections.  For Parliamentary Elections, all duties involved in conducting the election are discharged by the Acting Returning Officer, at referendums by a Counting Officer (if at national level, Local Counting Officer) and for elections such as PCC/Combined Authority the role is Local Returning Officer.