Chain of custody

Tally sheet

The signed record of a polling station’s count — the primary document against which any later aggregate can be checked, and the first thing to secure.

Ballot reconciliation

Checking that ballots issued, returned, counted and spoiled sum correctly at each polling station — the most basic numerical control on a count.

Seal integrity

Tamper-evident seals on ballot boxes and equipment, with serial numbers logged at each transfer — a break in the seal log is a custody finding regardless of intent.