To establish and maintain public confidence in the electoral process, vote counting systems and procedures should incorporate the fundamental principles of vote counting in a democratic election.
These fundamental principles are:
- transparency
- security
- professionalism
- accuracy
- secrecy
- timeliness
- accountability
- equity
Transparency
For the counting process to be open and transparent, representatives of political parties and candidates should be allowed to witness and/or participate in the process, and permitted to copy the statement of the results of the counting process. National and international electoral observers should also be allowed to witness the process and permitted to copy the statement of the results of the counting process. In some countries, ordinary citizens are encouraged to watch the counting process.
Manual counting is by its nature more transparent than computerized counting. If vote counting is computerized, new mechanisms for ensuring transparency, such as external audits, need to be introduced.
Security
The security of the ballots and the ballot boxes, from the time voting begins to the completion of the count, is fundamental to the integrity of the counting process. Polling and counting officials, representatives of political parties and candidates, and national and international electoral observers should carefully watch the ballots and the boxes at all times, and accompany them if they are moved from one location to another. Individually numbered, tamper-proof seals or bags should be used to ensure the secure transport of ballots.
Professionalism
Polling and counting officials must act in a professional manner. They should be thoroughly trained in the counting process, as distinct from the voting process; thorough in their procedures; and committed to treating electoral materials with care and respect. Once a person accepts work as a counting official, he or she must be non-partisan throughout the entire process. Some jurisdictions require that all counting officials (as well as poll officials) sign an oath to this effect, creating awareness that they can be legally prosecuted if their work is proved to be partisan.
Accuracy
Accuracy is directly related to the integrity of the count, and of the elections themselves. Later discovery of errors and correction of mistakes can lead to accusations of manipulation or fraud. The accuracy of the count will depend on clear procedures and manuals, adequate staff training, and their commitment to the process. Clear audit trails of ballots and ballot boxes, as well as checking and rechecking mechanisms, will contribute to the accuracy of the results. Whilst mechanical voting or computerization may enhance accuracy, this must be balanced against the resulting apparent loss of transparency.
Secrecy
Secrecy of the vote is important because it ensures that voters cannot be punished for the way they vote, or intimidated into voting a particular way. To preserve the secrecy of the vote, voters' identification must be protected during the count. If their identity and choice on the ballot is determined as a result of counting procedures, it must be kept confidential and never revealed. If the secrecy of the vote of individuals or a community is a concern, measures such as counting at counting centres, rather than at individual polling stations, or mixing ballots from different polls, can be considered. Numbered ballot papers corresponding to matching stubs with the voter details, while facilitating accountability and clear audit trails, compromise secrecy and are best avoided.
Timeliness
Delays in completing the count and in the release of unofficial preliminary results can negatively affect the level of integrity and confidence in the voting process. The responsible electoral management body should carefully plan all stages of the counting process to facilitate the early announcement of results, or at least to realistically assess when results can be announced, taking into consideration the communications and transport infrastructure.
Accountability
Clear responsibility and accountability for each stage of the counting process are important. At the national level, the electoral management body should be accountable. At the electoral district level, it may be a senior election officer or commission official. At polling stations, specified poll workers may be responsible for polling and counting. Clearly defined complaints and appeals processes are also important.
Counting rules, including criteria for rejecting ballots, should be clear, known in advance, and understood by everyone involved in the election, including election officials, the general public, political parties, candidates, non-governmental organizations, and national and international electoral observers.
Clear audit trails are essential in ensuring accountability.
Equity
Equity generally means that the rules are the same for all participants in the electoral process, and that they accept these rules. The proper training and non-partisanship of counting officials and polling officials, and the presence of political party representatives, national and international electoral observers will help to ensure that counting is conducted in a fair and correct manner.
