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Descriptive text of "Roles and responsibilities: DRO" video

The animation begins:

The scene shows a DRO wearing a mask while the text appears on the screen.

"Each voting desk is run by a Deputy Returning Officer – or DRO. The DRO administers the vote with oversight from a supervisor. This video gives an overview of their roles and responsibilities. Watch for tasks related to eligibility, ballot handling, keeping records and organizing materials."

A DRO removes ballots from a large envelope.

"The DRO is responsible for the ballots assigned to them by the Returning Officer. The DRO signs for those ballots. They always know where all those ballots are, and keep them secure at all times."

A DRO hands a ballot to an elector.

"The DRO issues a ballot to an elector after they are satisfied that the elector is eligible and ready to vote at their desk."

An elector places his proof of identity in front of the DRO.

"The DRO checks each elector's situation using the DRO's List of Electors and by reviewing the ID and any other documents the elector brings to the voting desk."

The DRO writes information on the election documents in front of him on the table.

"In some cases, the DRO will complete extra procedures and documents to get the elector ready to vote."

Transition of the image to several guides.

"The DRO uses a flowchart in the guidebook to help work out each elector's situation before deciding what to do next. For most electors, the process is very quick. Two quick checks confirm the elector is eligible and ready to vote."

The next scene shows a DRO consulting his guide and then entering information on a form.

"Occasionally an extra form or certificate is needed depending on the elector's situation. Some of them would have been completed at the registration desk, others are completed by the DRO. These forms and certificates are collected from the voting desk throughout the day and returned to the office each night – usually by the supervisor."

The scene shows a DRO entering information on the electoral list.

"The DRO keeps a record – on the DRO's list of electors - of the steps taken for each elector who requests a ballot at their voting desk. They use the events log to record information about the voting desk."

The DRO gives the ballot to the elector and instructs him on how to proceed.

"The DRO issues the ballot and tells the elector what to do. They protect the secrecy of the vote so that no-one except the elector knows who they voted for."

The scene shows a DRO filling out a document.

"While the elector is voting, the DRO completes a document - or two at advance polls – to maintain a summary of electors who have voted."

The next scene shows the DRO sealing a large envelope.

"Between voting days the DRO keeps sensitive materials securely with them, bringing them back the following day, unless the returning officer has made other plans."

The scene shows a DRO placing election documents into a large envelope.

"Advance poll materials are also kept securely after advance polls until the count on election day."

The scene shows a DRO counting ballots near an election official who records the result.

"On election day, after voting hours, the DRO sorts the ballots, counts the votes for each candidate and records the results of voting at their voting desk. Usually the supervisor calls the results into the office."

The scene shows the DRO placing ballots in a large envelope.

"When the results have been called in, the DRO follows the step-by-step instructions in the guidebook to pack up the documents and the ballots used at the voting desk. If all goes well, most of these materials stay sealed and are kept by Elections Canada for 10 years after the election, after which they are destroyed."

The following scene shows a DRO performing his tasks while the information appears on the screen.

"So the DRO confirms electors are eligible and ready to vote, handles the ballots, keeps records and organizes the voting materials for their voting desk."

The scene features a supervisor who guides the DRO in his tasks.

"The supervisor oversees the DRO to make sure all procedures at the voting desk are completed properly. The supervisor will regularly check the procedures and the records, and will provide support whenever needed."

The following scene shows a DRO performing his tasks while the information appears on the screen.

"The DRO's job includes a lot of responsibilities, though they are spread out through the day. Remember – the details of the DRO's job are in the guidebook."

The scene shows a DRO wearing a mask while the text appears on the screen.

"DROs have good attention to detail in the procedures and in keeping records, and, like everyone else, they have good people skills."

The animation ends with the Elections Canada logo.