Secretary of State for Justice. In Scotland, there is no office of acting returning officer and the position of returning officer is not an honorary one. The returning officer for general elections is the same person who has been appointed returning officer for the election of councillors in the local authority in which the constituency is situated. If a constituency covers more than one local authority area, the Secretary of State for Justice designates which local authority returning officer will discharge the function. In Northern Ireland, the Chief Electoral Officer acts as the returning officer. Returning officers normally announce the results after the count in the following manner: Recall petitions The returning officer for a constituency additionally acts as the petitions officer for recall petitions. Local elections In England and Wales, every district council or unitary authority is required to appoint an officer of the council to be the returning officer for the election of councillors to their local authority, and any parish councils in their area. County councils must also appoint a returning officer for the election of councillors within the county. References See also Election official Chief Electoral Officer (Canada) Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec Secretary of state (U.S. state government) Elections