It may be possible to assign entry and queue control duties to the same official, depending on the risks of unauthorized persons entering the voting station, the method adopted for checking voter identity, and the number of voters that the voting station will accommodate. Combining these functions will be more difficult if there are multiple queues within the voting station.
Entry Control
Entry control duties will include:
• controlling the flow of voters entering the voting station so that it does not become overcrowded;
• checking that voters are in possession of any identity document required for them to be issued voting material and turning away those without the necessary document(s);
• checking that voters are attending their correct voting station and directing those who are not to information assistance facilities;
• ensuring that only persons authorised to be present in the voting station enter the voting station.
Security
Security issues regarding entry to the voting station, such as surrendering of weapons, are better handled by security forces than voting station staff.
Queue Control
Queue control functions will include:
• maintaining orderly queues of voters waiting to be checked for eligibility and issue of voting material;
• where there are multiple queues of voters within the voting station (e.g., derived from an alphabetical split based on surnames, or on different geographic areas covered by the voting station), directing voters to the correct queue;
• pro-actively seeking out any voters that may need information on voting procedures, and directing any voters with complex queries that cannot be answered quickly to the appropriate information official;
• identifying voters requiring assistance with voting and advising the voting station manager;
• identifying voters with language difficulties and directing them to any language assistance facilities provided;
• identifying voters who may require special voting facilities;
• ascertaining if voters have registered to vote, and if not, directing them to the appropriate officials;
• monitoring the time spent by voters in queues waiting to vote and advising the voting station manager of any bottlenecks.
Effective queue control mechanisms are an essential feature of an effectively managed voting station.
