Once the count for each ballot box is over and the ballot box is sealed, all the ballot boxes will be transferred to the planned storage location for ballot-boxes-already-counted. This storage space should be secure. Ballot boxes will be kept at this place until final results are known and accepted by all participants. In case of recount, the Electoral Management Body will send instructions to the counting centre as to what to do with the ballot boxes involved. Until then, all ballot boxes stay in the counting centre.
A spreadsheet, with all the ballot box numbers, should be used to control the storage of all ballot boxes. The supervisor responsible for the ballot boxes (once they are counted) should verify that the seals are properly put on and that the statement of the vote is attached to the ballot box in a sealed envelope. A sticker or other form of identification should then be put on the ballot box to indicate that the control check was done and the ballot box is ready for storage. The supervisor should append his initials or signature to both the spreadsheet and identification sticker indicating that the control measure has been taken.
Ability to Subsequently Check Results Received
Ability to subsequently check the results received against separate documentation is essential to avoid mistakes, and to prevent fraudulent manipulation of electoral results. A copy of the cumulative statement of the vote of each counting centre should be sent separately to the national office of the Electoral Management Body, in a sealed envelope, and a comparison with first results received should be done once the original is received.
If serious fears of fraud exist, a special paper can be used for the cumulative statement of the votes for each counting centre (this paper was used in each voting station in Togo in 1994). This dark coloured paper (dark blue for example) immediately shows if the initial inscription is modified. The colour around the modified area will fade. A pencil should be used for this type of paper. If alterations appear on the paper, then special attention can be given to that specific counting centre and the results should be checked carefully. If the person simply made a mistake in completing the form at the counting centre, then he should append his initials or signature, as well as all representatives of political parties/candidates/options to denote agreement with the correction.
