

I’m not sure if they called it a scrutineer but I used to volunteer at elections (US) and they did the same. The counters would sit at a long table with people watching from both sides. If I remember correctly, everyone had to stay until it was done and there was a sign-in/out sheet.
I understand that there’s more people voting for federal elections but it really didn’t take that long. Polling closed at 7 and the results/physical ballots were delivered to city hall by 10
It might have been party volunteers here too, not sure as I was the “lowest level” of volunteer…
I think you hit the nail on the head with the amount of polling stations. Politicians of a certain party here really like voter suppression.