The Result Of The In/out Vote.

[sandyRoe]

Will the Returning Officer in each constituency announce the numbers of 'ayes' and 'nays' cast? Will it be something in the manner of a general election night?

[Jackdaw33]

No. The votes will probably not be counted till the next day. It is likely to be on a regional basis rather than a constituency one, much like the AV referendum in 2011.

[lindapalmara]

I may be wrong but I understood that they will be counting all night after the ballot.

[Jackdaw33]

You may be right Linda, but I don't think it will be on a constituency basis.

[ichkeria]

Correct. It will begin as in a general election, when the polls close at ten pm

[Jomlett]

Polling cards will be sent to each voter along with information after the May local elections. Postal ballots must be dispatched within five days of the notification date for the referendum.

Counting will occur overnight as in a general election, and a declaration will be made in Manchester town hall after votes have been collated from 12 different regional collation centres.

Results will be declared as soon as they are known by the 382 local counting officers. There are 380 council areas in Great Britain plus one area for Northern Ireland and one for Gibraltar.

Regional and national running totals will be available. Polling stations should not have more than 2,500 electors and the ballot papers will be white. The question on the ballot paper, adjusted on advice from the Electoral Commission will read: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”