Similarity with Periodic List Data Collection Procedures
Because the initial registration drive for the development of the continuous list is similar to the
compilation of a periodic list, the data collection process may be similar or identical (see
Registration Data Collection).
Subsequent maintenance of the continuous list, though, will be accomplished through
significantly
different methods.
Differences with Periodic List
Although much of the data gathering is similar with the periodic list, there are a number of ways
in
which this activity differs when using the continuous list. There is often a broader array of data
gathered for the continuous list; not as much as with the civil registry, but enough to distinguish
it
from the periodic list. For example, in addition to the information discussed for the periodic list,
one also may collect information on the continuous list such as mother's maiden name, town of
birth, name of local community or municipality, postal code, and others. Some of these are for
security purposes, some are for verifying the appropriate record at the time of updating the file,
and some are for administrative convenience.
Plan of Action
The plan of action for the continuous list, in addition to the material discussed under the periodic
list, also requires a plan for the production and copying of the list, for the security and
distribution
of the printed list, and for providing parties and candidates the list versions (normally there is
more
than one) in digital form, if available. In addition, there should be plans identifying controls on
the misuse of the list, the division level of the list (e.g., district, community, voting site, or voting
area), the sort order of the list (geographic according to address or alphabetical by name, etc.).
Each of these elements requires separate budget estimates and the identification of the spending
authority.
Organisational Simplicity and Clarity
An organisation will operate more smoothly if it has a clear and well-articulated structure. This
basic fact of organisational life needs to extend to registration management as well. For
example,
a supervisor should be in direct control of the work of seven to nine enumerators or registration
officers, a regional deputy registrar perhaps responsible for seven to nine supervisors, and so on,
up the administrative apparatus. The unfortunate lack of foresight that sometimes characterizes
election management produces organisational inefficiencies that can be addressed with clear
laying
of the organisational structure.
Gathering Registration Data and the Issue of Literacy
Low literacy rates in some countries hamper efforts to compile accurate registration data. For
example, in Bangladesh, it is traditional to gather registration data through door-to-door
canvassing. When doing so, the election officials (who may be volunteers) rely on information
provided by a single member of the household for all members of the household. Inaccuracies
result from such things as adding to the list those who are not permanently resident, those too
young to vote, or the deceased. In addition, high illiteracy means that the inclusion of names
relies
on the accuracy of officials recording the data, which also is often faulty.74
