Instructions
Instructions in the form of easy-to-read sheets or checklists have long been used to complement cascade training of some tiers of electoral staff, for example polling station security officials, polling station staff and counting staff. An example of such a checklist was used in Tonga in 2010. Materials of this type can be made available in electronic format where such facilities exist.
Training Manuals
Most EMBs rely on training manuals to impart skills to election officials. Manuals that are accurate, user friendly, well written, and easy to interpret and apply are an indispensable training aid. It is effective to develop separate components of a manual to cover categories of staff with different duties, and to include simple checklists of their essential tasks and a set of questions to verify their knowledge. Hard copy manuals can be supplemented by soft copies from which additional materials can be printed. Sufficient copies of manuals can be printed to allow election officials to take them home after training, either for further reading or for reference while they are working. In Hungary, electronic training facilities are used, including an electronic manual and a test on its contents.
EMBs can also consider producing manuals on electoral processes for their various stakeholders, such as political parties and candidates, party agents, the media and election observers. The better the stakeholders’ understanding of the electoral processes, the easier a competent EMB’s work is likely to be.
Simulations and Videos
Simulating electoral processes, such as voter registration, polling and counting processes, is a popular training method. Simulations and similar hands-on and interactive training experiences are generally regarded as the most effective method of training temporary EMB staff, and are worthy of being included in every training session.
The use of videos and graphics to illustrate and reinforce training texts and messages, and make presentations to smaller groups, is growing in popularity with trainers. These materials are useful to support, rather than serve as the basis of, electoral training. Video materials can be most effective when developed as short, focused segments that can be used to illustrate specific work activities and guide simulations. Before developing training sessions that rely on video content, an EMB needs to be sure that appropriate video facilities are available and affordable at all training locations.
