The polling officials mark the person's name on the official electoral roll, initial the ballot paper, then give it to the voter. The voter goes alone to a voting screen, marks the ballot in secret, then puts the ballot paper in the sealed ballot boxes. Scrutineers observe the election procedures but cannot tell anyone how to vote. Their job comes after the polls close when they watch how the votes are counted. After the polls close, counting the votes begins.
Scrutineers watch the count to make sure only formal votes are counted and counted properly.
They cannot touch the ballot papers. Counting the Votes Votes are counted differently for the House of Representatives and for the Senate. In the House of Representatives, the candidate who wins majority support of an electorate wins. In the Senate elections, candidates must win a specific proportion of the electorate's votes to be elected. After the winners have been determined, the elected candidates' names are announced.