Based on literature review and experiences in the field, the EC Study on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Electoral Processes (forthcoming) identifies five steps in the voter registration project lifecycle:

Phase I: Project initiation and requirement gathering – During this phase, the formal request indicating the type of the project is formulated, e.g. whether it entails the creation of a new voter register or the updating of the previous one. Afterwards, the main stakeholders are identified who meet and discuss the project objectives, the expected challenges, and the main expectations in terms of deliverables and targets. A working group is established within the EMB (which may include also external actors). The working group first ensures the compliance of the project with the legal framework and the mandate of the EMB. Second, it defines and validates the operational concepts, which are presented to the stakeholders who then decide on the fate of the project.

Phase II: Detailed planning – At this stage the operational plan and the preliminary budget are developed thus providing an overview over resources, timing, deliverables and milestones of the voter registration project. Elements to be included in the operational plan and the budget are, for example, training, logistics and procurement, implementation and post-implementation activities, communications, sensitization and cross-cutting issues (e.g. gender balance). The results are integrated into a single plan and budget which should be approved by the stakeholders.

Phase III: Implementation – This phase involves the execution of the plans developed in Phase II. Sometimes simulations are used in order to better understand the expectations of the targeted actors. When technologies are involved in the project, it is at this stage that hardware and software are acquired on the basis of well defined technical specifications.

Phase IV: Rollout and evaluation – During the rollout, the voter register is finalized. At this stage, it is critical that not only the project performance and quality indicators are fulfilled, but also that stakeholders (political parties and candidates etc.) accept the outcome. In order to evaluate the level of acceptance, metrics based on the main guiding principles are developed. The below figure provides an overview of the principles, how they can be measured as well as the degree to which they are possible to measure.

Phase V: Post-implementation – At this stage the project reaches the end. Contracts and outsourced activities are terminated and the voters register is maintained between elections.