returning officer

noun

, British.

1. a public official appointed to conduct and preside at an election.

returning officer

noun

1. (in Britain, Canada, Australia, etc) an official in charge of conducting an election in a constituency or electoral district, who supervises the counting of votes and announces the results

Word History and Origins

Origin of returning officer¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

On the other side, several parents called for restoring cuts to the school police and returning officers to middle and high schools.

From Los Angeles Times

The writ is an order for the election be held, sent from the Speaker to the constituency returning officer, who then sets the date.

From BBC

It added that if only one person is nominated, the returning officer will confirm that person as party leader.

From BBC

The returning officer will issue details of venues in the constituency where they can support the recall.

From BBC

The date of the poll is decided by MPs and the returning officer works backwards from that date, often scrambling to organise ballot papers, polling stations and staff on a short timescale.

From BBC