Prior to commencement of voting, the voting station area must be completely checked to ensure that it is ready to function effectively at the time voting opens.
Even where the voting station has been set up earlier, a final check of readiness should take place. Issues that the voting station manager needs to ensure are checked include:
• that all voting station furniture and equipment is correctly arranged according to the approved layout for the voting station;
• ballot boxes (unsealed at this stage) are in their correct positions;
• gates or doors leading into the grounds in which the voting station is situated are unlocked (but not the entrance and exit to the voting station itself until the time for voting to commence);
• that any lighting or other power facilities required for voting station operations are working;
• there is free access to all parts of the voting station, e.g., keys supplied will open any locked doors to rooms required for voting or cupboards required for safe storage of material;
• directional signs and other external signs identifying the voting station are in place;
• establishing personal contact with any security forces allocated to the voting station area and ensuring that they are present according to security plans;
• ensuring any barriers around the voting station for security, crowd control, or delineation of a "no-campaigning" area have been erected;
• any required voter information posters, directional signs, and national symbols are in place inside the voting station;
• that any areas that may be hazardous to voters, such as steep steps, slippery floors, and the like, are clearly marked.
In high security risk areas, checking that risk prevention measures as defined in the security plan, such as sweeping the voting station for explosives or arms, have been implemented may also be necessary.
