In addition to recording votes and counting ballots, a wide variety of
electoral tasks may benefit
from automation.38
Election planning, managing, budgeting, and record keeping may be
automated using standard
word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, or special-purpose
software designed
specifically for election managers.
Software is available to assist in drawing precinct boundaries and
assigning voters to precincts.
Software and optical scanners can be useful for verifying and counting
signatures on petitions.
Similar tools can be used to verify signatures on absentee ballot envelopes. Although for it to be operational, efforts such as double entry of all names must take place to ascertain that no mistakes are made. Furthermore, when using software to verify large numbers of signatures the EMB must make absolute sure that the program can read the alphabet in question, and that the computer operator are properly trained and careful when doing the data entry. This mistake caused enormous problems for the International Community in Cambodia in 1993, in the early elections after the Dayton Peace Accord, as well as when UNMIK registered the Kosovo population prior to Municipal election in October, 2000.
Computerised systems, including computer bulletin board systems and
World Wide Web sites
can assist in providing information to candidates, parties, and
voters.39
Software can assist in monitoring campaign contributions and spending.
Candidates may be
required to submit their reports electronically, and this information
can be made accessible to
other candidates and voters through a computer bulletin board system or
World Wide Web site.
Members of the Election Management Body can also utilize listservers to exchange information. In Estonia, the National Election Commission has structured the email system in such a way that all local election authorities have access to all Q & As that other members of the local election authorities have sent to the National Election Commission. Thereby the NEC does not have to reply to the same questions. The local election bodies will find timely, accurate and detailed information about relevant aspects of their tasks. In addition, different local authorities can discuss common problem using the bulletin board.
Voter registration databases may be computerised. This may allow
registration databases to be
compared with other records to detect deceased voters, and those who may
have moved to a
different precinct. It also facilitates the generation of voter
identification cards and election
reminder mailings.
If voter registration is computerised and photographs, signatures,
biometric data (such as
fingerprints), or other identifying information is stored in voter
records, computers can be used
to help authenticate voters at voting locations.
Computers can be used to manage absentee voting by recording which
voters have requested
absentee ballots and which absentee ballots have been returned. They
can also be used to
authenticate signatures on ballot envelopes. Computers can potentially
be used to allow
absentee voters to vote remotely over the Internet as well.
Finally, computers can be used to disseminate election results via
computer bulletin boards or
World Wide Web sites. The latter is increasingly becoming the norm today, both in established and emerging democracies. In some countries, the press conferences carrying the election results are broadcasted live on the Internet too.
