The Quick Count and Election Observation

C H A P T E R E I G H T : T H E E N D G A M E
124 director and designated members of the board of directors. Civic groups may
take steps to ensure the security of quick count findings, including:
• explaining to all headquarters staff who will, and will not, have access to
quick count data;
• banning all cell phones from headquarters on election night; and
• placing security guards at the main doors of the data collection center
and at the analysis room.
In discussing how to share quick count results with outside sources, groups
should consider first the legal framework. Are there any requirements or restrictions
regarding “going public” (i.e., releasing the information publicly or
privately to others)? In some cases, election law prohibits the release of any
results by any group prior to the public announcement of the official results
by the election commission.
Civic groups must also address the expectations of several groups and actors,
including:
• electoral authorities;
• political contestants;
• funders;
• affiliated non-governmental organizations;
• important civic and religious leaders;
• international observer missions; and
• the diplomatic community.
Many individuals or groups may request, or expect to have access to, quick
count data. Quick count leaders must consider their responsibilities to each
group, as well as advantages and disadvantages of sharing quick count results
with them. For example, quick count organizers may acknowledge the legal
obligation of election officials to provide accurate and timely election results,
and they may feel obligated to allow reasonable amounts of time for this to
take place before releasing quick count results. However, authorities should
know that the group has completed an accurate quick count and is prepared
to release results if fraud becomes apparent or an extended delay causes serious
public concern. Political contestants have a right to an open, honest and
competent electoral process; quick count organizers have a responsibility to
inform all of the contestants, without discrimination, of their findings, including
apparent fraudulent practices that may affect election results.
Funders may expect to receive quick count results. Therefore, quick count
organizers and funders should hold open discussions before election day about
strategies for managing qualitative and quantitative quick count data. Finally,
quick count organizers must evaluate the role that civic leaders, the diplomatic
community and international observer groups can play in achieving electoral
accountability and share quick count findings with them accordingly.