26/05/2019: European Elections Count at Bolton Arena
I turned up at Bolton Arena around 4:30 to be told by security that I had to park on Car Park C over the road outside The University of Bolton Stadium (formerly Macron Stadium and Reebok Stadium). So I did, and then nipped to McDonald's for something to eat and drink on Middlebrook Retail Park. This was a very good idea as it was a long day ahead.
I walked back to Bolton Arena using the bridge over Burden Way and then around the corner to Bolton Arena. Security staff were so pleasent and helpful - top class. Waved over with a metal detector I was let into the building. Never had been in there before - although I'm not into sports at all - so there's no surprise there. I approached the reception desk and gave my name. I did have my Counting Agent lanyard around my neck so the staff knew what I was there for. The lady advised me that I can't go into the count room until the count was to begin, so I took a seat in the foyer looking around at other counting agents and guests from other parties.
After about 15 minutes we were told we could go into the hall where the count was taking place.
There were a lot of people all sat on the insides of the tables. I had a walk round and spoke to some of them. Being from Bolton I actually knew some of them. Had a really good chat and catch-up.
The Returning Officer came onto the microphone at 5:30 and told everyone that they could start counting. It was a slight to see. Ballot boxes being opened and the sorting began. Each table was a different Ward in Bolton. As a Counting Agent my job was to watch and point out any mistakes that had been made - that is ballot papers sorted into the wrong trays. I watched as trays in different wards were filled up and some less so with ballot papers. These were big ballot papers too which didn't quite fit in the trays. It was very difficult to get a handle on how each party was doing as each table had a slightly different way of counting. I pointed out a few mistakes and spent most of my time picking up name cards which fell on the floor 😊 (I was happy to help)
It soon became apparent which parties/candidates were doing well and which weren't. After a few hours the count had finished and although we could see the ballot papers sorted and counted and in piles we (the counting agents) we not told of the numbers. They actually finished pretty early. And many piles of ballot papers were double checked for accuracy. Which is a good thing.
It got to around 8pm and we had 2 hours before we would be told the results in Bolton. My friend and I went across the road for a drink and some food. I was flagging a little at that point.
When we returned we joined the other counting agents in reviewing the spoiled votes. I couldn't believe how many there were - hundreds! Why people make the effort to go and vote and then spoil their ballot paper on purpose bis beyond me. It beggars belief.
It got to just after 10pm and the counting agents were taken to one side and given the results for Bolton. There was a bit of waiting around after for results to be passed to Manchester and once everything was confirmed, the Returning Officer announced the results officially and we all got to go home. We all were let go around 11pm.
Results for Bolton are as follows:
Brexit Party 23122
Labour Party 17455
Liberal Democrats 8415
Conservative 5577
Green Party 5061
UKIP 2957
Tommy Robinson 1871
Change UK 1532
English Democrats 417
UK EUP 235
Mohammad Aslam 163
Although UKIP didn't do as well as I'd hoped I enjoyed the day and whole experience.