omtælling

Omtælling is the formal process of recounting votes after an election or referendum to verify the accuracy of vote totals. The term comes from Danish, with om- meaning "again" and tælling meaning "counting." In practice, an omtælling may be initiated when results are very close, when a candidate or party requests a review, or when irregularities are alleged or detected by election officials. Procedures vary by country and jurisdiction, but common elements include a secure chain of custody for ballots, independent supervision, and a re-tally of the ballots or vote cards.

There are different modes of omtælling. A full recount re-examines all ballots, while a partial recount targets specific precincts, ballots, or vote types that are most likely to affect the outcome. Recounts may be conducted manually, with machine-assisted checks, or by re-running electronic tallies followed by manual verification of a sample.

The legal framework for omtælling is usually contained in electoral laws and regulations. Election authorities, courts, or independent commissions supervise the process, and results may be subject to judicial review or further appeals. The precise thresholds that trigger a recount, and the standards for what constitutes a valid ballot, differ across jurisdictions.

Critics warn that recounts can delay governance and be subject to strategic challenges, while supporters view them as an essential safeguard against errors or fraud. Effective safeguards include transparency, publicly verifiable procedures, secure ballot handling, and, where possible, risk-limiting audits.

See also: Recount (elections), Election integrity, Audit, Ballot verification, Close election.