The Quick Count and Election Observation

Recommendations

Info

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION election commissions also promulgate observer rights and responsibilities in a set of standards or a code of conduct. 4 33 It is common for election observers to be required to present proof of legal authorization (accreditation) as they enter polling stations. Some election commissions approach this task by granting a letter of authorization to observer groups that meet established criteria. The groups, in turn, distribute the letter to their volunteers. In some countries, however, civic organizations work in conjunction with electoral authorities to produce individual observer badges, or credentials. The time and effort needed to guarantee observer access to the polling and counting stations is always underestimated. Civic groups must begin the application process very early. The case of the Dominican Republic illustrates just how difficult the process can be, particularly for a group conducting its first quick count: The time and effort needed to guarantee observer access to the polling and counting stations is always underestimated. In 1996, the civic group Citizen Participation (PC) faced a hostile election commission. The commission saw PC as a threat and resisted giving them observer credentials to enter the polling stations on election day. In fact, PC had to turn to the international community for help in persuading the election commission to release credentials. When the commission finally did grant permission for the group to observe the process, it argued that it was too busy to prepare credentials for the whole group. Then, twenty-four hours before the polls opened, the commission announced that it would require the inclusion of a signed photograph for each observer’s credential. This created a major lastminute problem in PC’s production and distribution of credentials. It is instructive to note just how much circumstances changed in the Dominican Republic once the civic organization, PC, had gained experience and credibility among electoral authorities. By the 1998 elections, the relationship had improved significantly. Recently, the election commission asked PC for its assistance in training polling station officials. This type of progressively improved relationship is common between civic groups that observe elections and election authorities around the world. Absent official authorization, access to observe the election process is uneven at best. Groups should avoid attempting to conduct quick counts by acquiring the information second-hand, such as through political party representatives. This approach can compromise the quick count because the groups cannot attest to the quality of the voting and counting processes, nor can the group prevent collusion among parties. Alternatively, groups can station observers outside polling stations to rapidly report on a number of qualitative aspects of election-day developments. For example, such observers can measure voter Groups should avoid attempting to conduct quick counts by acquiring the information second-hand. 4 Appendices 3A - 3D contain an election law, an election regulation and two codes of conduct regarding domestic election observers; and Appendix 4 is a compilation of excerpts from human rights instruments that apply to citizens’ rights to monitor elections.
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 34 turnout against official reports, which in some instances is a critical indicator of whether or not official results are credible. The objective should be to obtain a law containing the broadest possible language granting access to all aspects of the process. A significant challenge to a quick count may arise when election observation is not contemplated in current law and authorities believe it to be illegal. In this case, quick count sponsors may lobby for a revision in the law, a new regulation, a special decree or other document guaranteeing the right to observe. The objective should be to obtain a law containing the broadest possible language granting access to all aspects of the process. Many groups have offered authorities help in drafting a new law or regulation and have provided model laws and regulations from other countries where observers enjoy broad freedom to operate. While lobbying for the rights of election observers and soliciting observer credentials, quick count organizers should keep in mind the perspective of electoral authorities. Understanding electoral officials and empathizing about their challenges can facilitate solutions that meet the needs of all concerned. EXTERNAL RELATIONS The executive director should dedicate significant time to the relationship with the election commission, but she or he must also work with board members to build bridges to other key groups. These groups include: • candidates and political parties; • civic leaders, particularly those who work on similar programs; • members of the local and international media; • quick count donors; • key international election observer and diplomatic missions. The usual strategy is for quick count organizers to carefully assign representatives to set up formal meetings with these groups and to build alliances that will support the group in difficult times. There are several additional techniques for keeping audiences informed and supportive. They include: • sponsoring roundtable discussions, debates or conferences; • disseminating written letters or reports; • offering training events, such as a workshop on local elections for international donors or quick count methodology for journalists; • holding tours of the quick count facilities during simulations; and • creating independent advisory boards with key audiences, such as political parties or NGOs, and holding periodic meetings to inform and receive feedback. Each meeting or event should have a specific objective. For example, quick count leaders may seek financial support or help in persuading electoral authorities to release credentials. In general, representatives should always demonstrate the organization’s capacity, independence and commitment to transparency. They should model transparency by presenting, in a general way, their progress
Page 1 and 2: THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERV
Page 3 and 4: The Quick Count and Election Observ
Page 31 and 32: C H A P T E R T W O : G E T T I N G
Page 49: C H A P T E R T H R E E : P R O M O
Page 53 and 54: C H A P T E R T H R E E : P R O M O
Page 55 and 56: C H A P T E R T H R E E : P R O M O
Page 100 and 101:
THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERV
Page 102 and 103:
Page 104 and 105:
Page 106 and 107:
FIGURE 6-1: SAMPLE OBSERVER FORMS 8
Page 108 and 109:
Page 110 and 111:
Page 112 and 113:
Page 114 and 115:
Page 116:
Page 119 and 120:
CHAPTER SEVEN: COLLECTING AND ANALY
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
C H A P T E R E I G H T : T H E E N
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?