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:
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:
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.
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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.
