> recently, they removed the ability for citizen to stay during the counting

Here in Australia, representatives of the various political parties observe the counting as scrutineers. I did it once. It’s absolutely fascinating seeing the system and rules. All (lower house) votes are physical slips of paper. Officials sort them into piles of 50 based on their first preference, in a big warehouse. Scrutineers watch them do it. We are allowed to contest their reading and sorting of a vote, but not physically touch anything.

I’m sorry to hear you can’t see your own democracy in action. I have more trust in our election process seeing it up close, in person.