How votes are counted

Counting starts at the polling station immediately after polls close, in front of party agents and observers. Ballots never leave the station uncounted.

For each of the six elections, ballots are sorted per candidate, counted, and the totals entered on a results form signed by officials and agents. A copy is posted at the station's door for anyone to photograph.

Presidential results forms (Form 34A) are transmitted electronically to the constituency and national tallying centres, alongside the physical forms.

The station-level form is the primary record. Every total announced later must trace back to those forms, which is why they are public.

Disputes go to the courts: election petitions for most seats, and the Supreme Court for the presidency, within strict timelines.