The Quick Count and Election Observation

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THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION • Refer to the manuals: Well-designed manuals systematize training programs. Be sure all instructions and messages are uniform to avoid confusion about roles or jobs. Encourage volunteers to study them outside the training program. • Use experiential techniques: Since many quick count observers will only have one formal training session, set up training to take them through the experience of observing. Have volunteers simulate the voting and counting process. Use role plays or dramas to illustrate problems that may occur. Perhaps most importantly, use debates, friendly quizzes or game show formats to test whether participants have really learned their 10, 11 jobs well. Set up training to take observers through the experience of observing. 53 • Always save time for small planning sessions: Dedicate time for trainers to meet one-on-one with committees or individual participants to set up realistic work plans and to resolve issues particular to a local area. Use sessions to take care of important details, such as how to reach a remote polling station or to resolve sensitive issues such as finances. • Talk about quick count “politics”: Quick count sponsors and organizers often face opposition from political parties and/or electoral authorities. Participants should be told that this is normal and to be expected. They should be encouraged to discuss their concerns and brainstorm responses should accusations be leveled at the group in public or in the press. Remember to teach and reinforce the organization’s message on these points, so that the local response is consistent with the national message. • Include a discussion on security measures: Depending on whether there is a history of violence and the likelihood elections will be hotly contested, security could become important. The sample is kept secret, and observers often do not know which polling station they will cover until very close to the election. Observers may be assigned codes for identifying themselves when reporting. In some cases where safety is a concern, local committees have had to send observers in expanded teams and provide vehicles. This kind of issue should also be addressed during the planning meeting suggested above. Many groups publicize training activities to demonstrate to electoral authorities, political parties and the public that they are well organized and growing. Well-designed training programs highlight a group’s commitment to professionalism, fairness and independence. In addition, disseminating training materials and observer checklists bolsters the deterrent function of a quick count. Many groups publicize training activities to demonstrate to electoral authorities, political parties and the public that they are well organized and growing. 10 See NDI’s Pocket Guide to Training, (1998); J. Pretty and I. Guijt, A Trainer’s Guide for Participatory Learning and Action, (1999) pp. 1- 12, 1999; J. Eitington, The Winning Trainer, (1996) pp. 174- 179, 1996. 11 See Appendix 8 for an example of an experiential training exercise developed for quick counts.
C H A P T E R F O U R : B U I L D I N G T H E V O L U N T E E R N E T W O R K 54 The volunteer coordination team should continuously assess volunteer satisfaction, particularly in the busy regional and municipal committees. Motivating Volunteers Motivating volunteers is a frequently glossed-over but fundamental part of the volunteer coordination team’s job. Showing appreciation for volunteers’ dedication is not just the right thing to do, it is essential to the success of the effort. Many are entrusted with crucial information and asked to fill indispensable roles. Those who are dissatisfied are less likely to do a thorough job. An effective recruiting message motivates volunteers from the start. In fact, experience across the world demostrates that, once volunteers understand how a quick count works and why it is important, they express appreciation at being given an opportunity to do something concrete to promote or strengthen democracy in their countries. Their enthusiasm as they read and sign impartiality pledges is palpable, and their motivation is inspiring. During the run-up to elections, the volunteer coordination team should continuously assess volunteer satisfaction, particularly in the busy regional and municipal committees. The national coordinator should periodically contact them, either by visiting or making phone calls. Any problems or misunderstandings should be addressed and resolved before they become larger obstacles to the quick count’s success. A side-benefit to these conversations is realized when regional and municipal coordinators provide volunteers with substantive information on pre-election activities or the political environment. The following additional activities have helped motivate volunteers in many countries: • sending thank-you letters from the board of directors or other prominent figures; • providing t-shirts, hats or other clothing identifying the volunteer as a member of the organization; • giving gifts such as backpacks or bags to volunteers who take on leadership roles; • issuing certificates to volunteers at important milestones, such as for meeting a recruiting target, successfully completing a simulation exercise and at the end of the project; • featuring volunteers at press events or in promotional videos; • inviting regional volunteers to attend meetings with donors, electoral officials or international election observer missions; • organizing celebrations to mark a successful quick count operation and meetings to debrief volunteers and discuss lessons learned.
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C H A P T E R E I G H T : T H E E N
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A P P E N D I C E S 134 ORGANIZATIO
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A P P E N D I C E S 136 Ghana • N
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A P P E N D I C E S 138 ment in Afr
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A P P E N D I C E S 140 Montenegro
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A P P E N D I C E S 142 NDI is part
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A P P E N D I C E S 144 WORK PLAN F
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A P P E N D I C E S 146 APPENDIX 3A
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A P P E N D I C E S 148 EXAMPLE OF
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A P P E N D I C E S 150 APPENDIX 3C
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A P P E N D I C E S 152 APPENDIX 3D
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A P P E N D I C E S 154 APPENDIX 4
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A P P E N D I C E S 162 DIAGRAM OF
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A P P E N D I C E S 164 SAMPLE OBSE
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A P P E N D I C E S 166 EXAMPLE OF
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A P P E N D I C E S 168 the polling
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A P P E N D I C E S 170 How to Cond
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A P P E N D I C E S 172 SAMPLE OBSE
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A P P E N D I C E S 174 APPENDIX 9B
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A P P E N D I C E S 176 MALAWI DATA
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A P P E N D I C E S 178 PROMOTIONAL
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