Scottish Parliamentary Elections, Thursday 7 May 2026

Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks and Count Assistants

Applications for the above staff are now invited.  The Count will take place on Friday 8 May and applications can be received for both poll and count positions.

Poll staff - the hours of poll will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and appointed staff must report to the polling station 45 minutes before the start of the poll.

Count staff - the hours of the count are 8:30 a.m. start to 6 p.m. (approximately)

The fees to be paid are shown below and mandatory poll staff online training must be completed prior to the elections.

Applicants must not be active or about the elections on behalf of any of the candidates or parties, nor be related to any candidate.

If you are interested in applying for a position(s) please submit your application as soon as possible via the online form.

Submission of an application does not guarantee a position.

Offers of appointments will be emailed to successful candidates approximately 4 weeks before the day of the poll.

Please note that if you are appointed there is no guarantee that you will be allocated to work in the polling place where you would normally vote.  You should therefore consider applying for a postal vote to secure your own vote.  The application form

Application Form

• Payment includes £30 for completing online training

Count Staff

Count assistants £150 for work up to 6 p.m. (8:30 a.m. start with 30 mins lunch break) and for every hour worked thereafter (if required) - £15 per hour.  All payments inclusive of holiday pay.