The Quick Count and Election Observation

Recommendations

Info

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION 101 CHAPTER SEVEN Collecting and Analyzing Quick Count Data The random sample is drawn, observer forms are developed and distributed and observers are recruited and trained. On election day, observers take up positions at assigned polling stations and get ready to collect and report the data. This chapter deals with the next steps. The chapter begins with a discussion of data reporting protocols. It explains how and when observers report data on the quality of the process and the vote count results. Some of the problems associated with information flows on election day, and practical solutions to those problems, are discussed. The chapter then examines the important question of how the recovered data are used, particularly with regard to the vote count. It considers the main strategies for analyzing data on vote totals and steps taken to ensure that the results released will be reliable. It concludes with a discussion of how and when quick count findings can be released. 1 DATA REPORTING PROTOCOLS On election day, domestic observers usually make two reports. For the first report observers use a questionnaire similar to Form 1 illustrated in Chapter Six. Form 1 contains information about whether proper procedures have been followed during the opening of polling stations. This first qualitative report is made after the polling stations have opened, usually immediately after the first voter in line has voted. The second report comes from a form similar to Form 2, also illustrated in Chapter Six. This provides qualitative data on the voting procedures and the closing of the polling stations, as well as data on the vote count. The common practice is for observers to report these data immediately after polling stations have produced an official result. In most cases, a polling station result is “official” after the polling station officials and the party agents present at the count have signed the public document that records the vote totals for that particular polling station. This chapter focuses primarily on the official vote data (Form 2), but there are broad issues of data reporting that apply to all observer reports. So, the place to begin is with general guidelines that apply to both the first and second reports. 1 Readers should refer to Chapter Six, The Qualitative Component of the Quick Count, for more detailed information on how qualitative data are collected and analyzed.
CHAPTER SEVEN: COLLECTING AND ANALYZING QUICK COUNT DATA 102 For each report, observers make three separate calls; they report the same data to three different locations. Call # 1: Call # 2: Call # 3: Observers make the first call directly to the central data collection center. Observers make the second call to their assigned regional coordinator. Observers make the third call to a back-up network of private telephones in the capital city. Why do observers make three telephone calls for each report on election day? Isn’t this a waste of time and effort? No, three calls are not a waste of time and effort. Sometimes attempts are made to disrupt domestic observation efforts, and the point of attack is usually the observer group’s communications system. This might mean shutting down the power source to the data collection center or cutting off the telephone system. Precautions have to be taken. For that reason, it is now standard practice to install back-up power systems at the data collection centers so that the observation effort has an independent, stand-alone power source for election day. (Some groups locate the center in a hotel that has a back-up generator.) Having observers make Call #2, and Call #3 is another standard and complementary security precaution. With these back-up communications alternatives in place, a quick count’s success is not entirely dependent on a single communications link. The availability of these alternative data routings means that observer groups still have the capacity to successfully complete a quick count even if the communications system at the data collection center is shut down or fails. The main challenge of a quick count is to collect, deliver, assemble and analyze large volumes of information —and to do so reliably and quickly. INFORMATION FLOWS The main challenge of a quick count is to collect, deliver, assemble and analyze large volumes of information—and to do so reliably and quickly. Because the effectiveness of quick counts requires efficient information flows, it is important to have a very clear idea about exactly how election day information flows will work. In fact, there are two sets of information flows to consider. The first has to do with the information flows from observers in the field to the data collection center. Then there are the information flows within, and from, the data collection center. Both of these sets of information flows are monitored through the central database. In effect, it is through the database that information traffic can be directed in ways that maximize the efficiency of data recovery on election day.
Page 1 and 2:
THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERV
Page 3 and 4:
The Quick Count and Election Observ
Page 5 and 6:
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
C H A P T E R T W O : G E T T I N G
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
C H A P T E R T H R E E : P R O M O
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 58 and 59:
Page 60 and 61:
Page 62 and 63:
Page 64 and 65:
Page 66 and 67: THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERV
Page 106 and 107: FIGURE 6-1: SAMPLE OBSERVER FORMS 8
Page 116: THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERV
Page 121 and 122: CHAPTER SEVEN: COLLECTING AND ANALY
Page 139 and 140: C H A P T E R E I G H T : T H E E N
Page 151 and 152: A P P E N D I C E S 134 ORGANIZATIO
Page 153 and 154: A P P E N D I C E S 136 Ghana • N
Page 155 and 156: A P P E N D I C E S 138 ment in Afr
Page 157 and 158: A P P E N D I C E S 140 Montenegro
Page 159 and 160: A P P E N D I C E S 142 NDI is part
Page 161 and 162: A P P E N D I C E S 144 WORK PLAN F
Page 163 and 164: A P P E N D I C E S 146 APPENDIX 3A
Page 165 and 166: A P P E N D I C E S 148 EXAMPLE OF
Page 167 and 168:
A P P E N D I C E S 150 APPENDIX 3C
Page 169 and 170:
A P P E N D I C E S 152 APPENDIX 3D
Page 171 and 172:
A P P E N D I C E S 154 APPENDIX 4
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
A P P E N D I C E S 162 DIAGRAM OF
Page 181 and 182:
A P P E N D I C E S 164 SAMPLE OBSE
Page 183 and 184:
A P P E N D I C E S 166 EXAMPLE OF
Page 185 and 186:
A P P E N D I C E S 168 the polling
Page 187 and 188:
A P P E N D I C E S 170 How to Cond
Page 189 and 190:
A P P E N D I C E S 172 SAMPLE OBSE
Page 191 and 192:
A P P E N D I C E S 174 APPENDIX 9B
Page 193 and 194:
A P P E N D I C E S 176 MALAWI DATA
Page 195 and 196:
A P P E N D I C E S 178 PROMOTIONAL
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199:
show all

The Quick Count and Election Observation

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?