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DISTRICT council election chiefs have defended the decision to hold the count on a Friday - the day AFTER polling day.

Traditionally the count takes place immediately after polling stations close on the Thursday.

But for the second successive year Epping Forest District Council decided to put off the count until the next morning.

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing described the decision as "very disappointing" adding: "We (Epping Forest) were the only council in Essex that hasn't counted the votes on polling day. In many other ways Epping Forest District Council is efficient and leads the field in local government administration, and we are proud of it."

She added: "I simply can't understand why we can't count on the Thursday as has happened in the past. The momentum of the democracy process is maintained when you go straight from the polling station to the count, and it is rather sad that every other council in Essex, and most others in the country, manages to do it on election night."

Returning officer Ian Willett said: "We could hold the count straight after the election if we wanted. However elections run better when staff are refreshed not tired and so since the change in the law extending the opening hours of polling stations from 7am to 10pm I would prefer not to expect staff who work at the polling stations all day to then go on and count into the small hours, "In the interests of staff and the smooth running and accuracy of the election I think it is best to send everyone home for a rest before reconvening for the count fresh and ready to start the following day."

He added: "I will be carrying out a review of the election next month and all political parties will be given the opportunity to make comments and I will take all of these into account when deciding what to do next time."

10:56am Thursday 8th May 2008

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