Returning officer

In various parliamentary systems, a Returning Officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.

In England and Wales the post of Returning Officer is an honorary one, held by the High Sheriff of the county, and in practice the job is delegated to an Acting Returning Officer, who is usually a senior officer in the local authority.

In Australia a returning officer is an employee of the Australian Electoral Commission who heads the local divisional office full-time, and oversees elections in their division.

In the Republic of Ireland, the post of Returning Officer in Dublin is held by the City Sheriff, and in other constituencies by the City or County Manager — the chief administrative officer of the local authority.

In Hong Kong, the returning officer is usually a judge.

Germany has a Federal Returning Officer

See also