The Scottish Government has a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the Electronic Counting for Scottish Local Government Elections.The service provider will be required to deliver electronic counting of ballot papers for the proposed local elections in 2022 and potentially 2027. The service provider will also be required to provide the services for local government by-elections for the duration of the contract.The services required include only those necessary to prepare for and deliver the electronic counting of votes and do not extend as far as the provision of services for the conduct of the elections themselves, which remains the responsibility of the Local Authorities.