Anticipate Problems
No matter how detailed and comprehensive the plan of operations may be, there will still be
questions, concerns and possible problems that will arise. To the extent that these may be
foreseen in advance, they may be incorporated into the plan of operations. Typical issues or
questions that may arise include:
- Are special plans in place for the registration of the physically disabled, voters in prison (if
prisoners are allowed to vote), or voters with non-traditional residences?
- Does every voter need to present himself or herself at the registration centre, or can family
members register one another?
- What if an enumerator becomes ill or expires during the enumeration period? How
would they be replaced?
- What if enumerators fall behind schedule and cannot complete the task in the allotted time?
- Is there a chance that some groups or individuals may attempt to disrupt the voter
registration process?
- Are all political parties or opposition groups in support of the election and the procedures
for registering voters?
Knowing the answers to questions such as these and formulating solutions in advance will
improve the implementation of the plan of action.
Contingency Planning
The plan for implementation should include contingencies for the unexpected. Contingency
planning, for example, can allow for back-up support when regular personnel experience
difficulties they cannot resolve. The first line of contact would always be with the immediate
supervisor (such as the enumeration supervisor or registration clerk supervisor). Additional
personnel might be required to provide support if there is an unprecedented demand for
registration or the time available is compressed. Additional materials may be available for
registration officials in the event that supplies on hand run short.
