The Quick Count and Election Observation

C H A P T E R T H R E E : P R O M O T I N G T H E Q U I C K C O U N T
32
FIGURE 3-1:
RELATIONSHIPS MANAGED BY THE
MEDIA TEAM
Media
Electoral Authorities
Donors
Civic Leaders
Political Parties
Candidates
Diplomatic Missions
International Organizations
and Observer Missions
General Public
to draw a statistical sample of polling stations) or models of official voting and
counting materials (helpful to design quick count observer forms). The election
commission also has the power to decide who does and does not get
access to polling stations and counting centers.
Quick count organizers
should establish an
open channel of communication
with electoral
authorities early in
the planning process.
Quick count organizers should establish an open channel of communication
with electoral authorities early in the planning process. It is helpful for leaders
to assure authorities that election monitoring activities are complementary
to those of the election commission. Quick count leaders can reinforce this
position by demonstrating transparency, sharing quick count plans and methodology—the
only details that should not be shared are those that deal with the
precise sample size and the locations of the sample points.
It is helpful to ascertain and directly address the specific concerns of an election
commission at the outset. For example, officials may express concern that
quick count organizers will undermine the election commission’s authority by
publicly releasing results. These concerns are not totally unfounded, but they
can be managed. There is nothing lost, and much to be gained, for example,
if organizers publicly express their willingness to support the efforts of the
election commission and acknowledge that the election commission has sole
authority to release official results. 3
Credentials
Electoral law in many countries recognizes the right of citizens to observe elections,
which is part of the right to participate in governmental and political
affairs. This right, in many instances, is based on constitutional provisions and
international obligations and can be recognized by pronouncements or regulations
of electoral authorities even if the law is silent on the matter. Often,
3
See Chapter Eight, The “End Game,” for a discussion of approaches to releasing quick count results.