This section introduces the two files dealing with the differences between where vote
counting can take place, viz. the voting station or at another centrally
located counting centres, and, the differences in how vote counting
occurs.
Where the vote counting takes place
Vote
counting takes place either at:
- the
voting station,
- a centrally
located counting centres, or
- a
combination of voting stations and counting centres.
Most jurisdictions count votes at voting stations,
rather than transport them to a central counting venue. This enhances transparency
as there is no need to transport the ballot boxes and there can be no
perception of ballot box tampering during the transportation. It also provides
for timely counting, as there is no delay transporting and delivering the
ballot boxes. Counting at counting centres may be a cost-determining factor, as
fewer counting officers will need to be recruited and paid. In addition, a
central count could be easier to supervise and prevent malpractice of fraud
from taking place during counting and tabulation of results.
However, in jurisdictions vulnerable to electoral
fraud, counting at centrally located counting centres may be perceived as
providing for opportunities to tamper with the ballot boxes, during the period
when the ballot boxes are transported, and this risk ought to form an integral
part in the EMB’s fraud control plan.
Some
jurisdictions may use a combination of both locations for vote counting, giving
the electoral management body the discretion to determine when it may be
necessary to count some voting stations’ votes at a centrally located counting
centre. To the largest extent possible, such decisions should be made well in
advance of voting day thereby enable the EMB’s field structure to plan
properly, as well as enable election stakeholders to accept a non-uniform
results management system.
One
such reason may be that the voting station is in a politically volatile area
and it may be difficult for the security forces to protect the voting station
staff once results are announced.
How counting occurs
Each
jurisdiction determines, in their legislation, the process of vote counting
that will be undertaken. Generally accepted best practice requires that vote
counting has the following elements:
- verification
and reconciliation of the ballots and other voting material;
- sorting
of the ballots into piles representing the different political parties,
candidates and, in the case of referendum, choices;
- counting
of the ballots;
- completion
of the results sheets or statement of votes;
- capturing
the results; and
- announcement
of results.
Each
jurisdiction will determine the combination of counting elements, and the
content and process of each element, in their vote counting process.
Some
jurisdictions will choose to conduct their vote counting manually, some will
use an automated process and others, a combination of the two, e.g. where the
results are tallied manually but captured and conveyed to a central point
electronically.
In
determining the process of vote counting it is important to maintain the integrity
of the electoral process. Too frequently vote counting is not given the
attention that it needs by electoral administrators and managers, whereas it is
the most fundamental element of the electoral process, as it is vulnerable to
fraud and manipulation.
It is
during vote counting that an election can be won or lost and unless it is
conducted in a transparent and accountable manner by the electoral management
body, it may be perceived by the public and international observers as being
flawed.
Throughout
each step of the counting process there needs to be a series of checks and
balances to ensure the integrity of the process and to allow for objections and
challenges by those contesting the elections; political parties and candidates.
A process of checks and balances is seminal to a professional, effective and
reflective vote counting process.
Image:
Timor-Leste Holds Second National Village Elections Under UNMIT Supervision by United Nations Photo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic.
