(a) After the polls have been closed, the counting of votes shall be open to the public, and any candidate or political party may be present in person or by representative designated in writing pursuant to § 7-5-312 at the count of the ballots in any election for the purpose of determining whether or not the ballots in any election precinct are fairly and accurately counted.
(b) The representatives of political parties may be designated and authorized by either the chair or the secretary of the state or county committee, and representatives of candidates may be designated and authorized by the candidate represented.