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I was at the count this evening for one district. It went quite smoothly.
But despite the instructions being at the top of each ballot paper, some people had obviously found it a bit too challenging to complete their ballots in the approved manner. Those were spoiled papers.
But despite the instructions being at the top of each ballot paper, some people had obviously found it a bit too challenging to complete their ballots in the approved manner. Those were spoiled papers.
A surprising number of people had made 2 marks instead of the instructed. A few had made 3.
There were a dozen or so that had every box filled.
There were a dozen or so that had every box filled.
One paper had an exhortation that the country was divided, and only by accepting their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, could the country be brought together.
Another took a different divinical view; the name of the party was crossed through, replaced with "Jedi Knights", and the voter indicated he wished to see Yoda as his MEP.
A large number were struck through, either across or down the page. In a few cases, the marks ran through all the boxes.
In several cases, the voter had brought a pen, permanent marker or highlighter to ensure that their marks could not be erased and replaced.
In several cases, the voter had brought a pen, permanent marker or highlighter to ensure that their marks could not be erased and replaced.
Several more had short statements; "Leave Means Leave", "Brexit Means Brexit", and similar.
A few had slightly longer comments such as "This election is undemocratic", "Waste of time and money".
A few had slightly longer comments such as "This election is undemocratic", "Waste of time and money".
A few papers had comments against the names of each party. "Wankers", "Chancers", "Scum" were a few of the less obscene.
Many had "None of the above".
Many had "None of the above".
A couple of papers had detailed political essays, and on those, the author had continued their tirade onto the back of the ballot paper.
One was a political statement about the rights of the Transgender community; sadly they had put the symbol for the feminine gender in each box, so it was a spoilt paper.
The staff expressed their regret that no-one chose to display their artistic talents this year.
Usually, someone will draw an anatomically incorrect rendering of parts of the human form.
The staff look forward to seeing those; it often provides some light relief.
Usually, someone will draw an anatomically incorrect rendering of parts of the human form.
The staff look forward to seeing those; it often provides some light relief.
But by far the most enjoyable spoilt paper, someone had taken a great deal of time and trouble to write one character per box. It said;
"I ♥SAUSAGES".
"I ♥SAUSAGES".
The chap from the Brexit party was so overcome at the message, he declared that he would split from them and form a new "Sausage party".
