Asian Election Stakeholder Forum III (AESF III) August 22 – 26, 2016 Bali, Indonesia "Transparency & integrity for Quality Elections" General Election Commission Republic of Indonesia and General Election Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL)

1. ELECTORAL PROCESS
Roll, Poll & Counts
Polling and Counting
Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, PhD
Third Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum
22-26 August 2016, Bali, Indonesia

2. 1. VOTER REGISTRATION
BVR in Philippines BVR in Yemen
BVR in Afghanistan
BVR in Bangladesh
BVR in Nepal BVR in Nigeria

3. A. Principle of Equal Access (Justice)
 Right to vote must be established by law
 Objective & reasonable grounds for deprivation of suffrage
 A minimum age limit is a reasonable restriction
 Independently established mental incapacity can be ground for
denial
 Unreasonable to restrict on the ground of physical
disability/literacy/educational or property requirements
 No deprivation just in a liberty suspended for situation

4. B. Principle of Equal Opportunity (Fairness)
 Respect for civil & political rights without distinction of any
kind (race, color, sex, language, religion, opinion, origin)
 Consistent legal provisions governing eligibility with respect
to citizenship, age, residence & temporary absence
 Established age of majority (usually 18)-the minimum age for
voting
 Conviction-suspension to be proportionate to offence &
sentence

5. C. Significance of Voter Roll
 Facilitative rather than restrictive approach to eligible
citizens to exercise right to vote
 Developing & maintaining an accurate VR & producing
reliable voter lists for each polling station
 Accuracy & completeness of VR: non-registration prevents
from enjoying right to vote-inhibits universality of suffrage.

6. D. Creating Voter Roll
 The procedures in place should ensure that all eligible
electors are able to vote
 It must be ensured that only eligible electors are able to vote
 Adequate measures to prevent multiple registration that
could lead to multiple voting
 Ensuring removal of the names of deceased persons & the
inclusion of newly eligible voters

7. E. Procedures for VR
 VR procedures should be clearly stipulated in law
 Registration process should be secure & reliable
 Clear definitions of residence (distinction between permanent &
temporary residence)
 Guaranteeing suffrage for minorities & IDPs including legally
residing non-citizens
 Considering voting right to diaspora and temporary migrants

8. F. Ensuring Public Confidence
 Public should have confidence in the accuracy of the VR
 Publishing copies for public inspection to allow checks for
inaccuracies & omissions.
 Political parties, in particular, should have an opportunity to
access the full voter register
 Allegations or evidence of exclusion, inconsistencies &
inaccuracies should be reviewed

9. G. Challenges to VR
• Effective administrative or judicial procedures that provide
stakeholders with the opportunity to challenge
irregularities in VR
• Exclusion of eligible electors, to correct errors in
register/seek removal of any ineligible persons
• Complaints to be resolved within a reasonable timeframe

10. H. Auditing by Legal Eagle
 Is universal & non-discriminatory suffrage provided for by law?
 If universal & non-discriminatory suffrage is provided for by law
but suffrage is not de facto universally enjoyed, what are the
reasons for this?
 Are all legal exclusions &/or restrictions on the right to suffrage
reasonable?
 Are there consistent legal provisions governing eligibility to vote?
 Is there an opportunity for appeal to redress grievances?

11.  Number of voters registered at the station
 Number of voters voted
 General atmosphere
 Location of polling station
 Physical access to the station
 Intimidation of voters?
 General agitation and disturbance
 Campaign posters and materials
 Campaigning activity
2. POLLING PROCEDURE

12. Polling Station: Presence & Impact
 People present, polling environment
 Members of the EMBs
 Representatives of parties/candidates
 Domestic observers
 Media representatives
 Security forces
 Unauthorised people
 Was the polling station overcrowded?
 Was there campaigning inside the station?
 Was there campaign material inside the station?

13. Presence & Impact…cont.
 Assessment of display: Correct & complete
 Assessment of each step in voting procedure in turn
 Problems with identification
 Problems with registration
 Ballot papers/documentation not signed/marked/
stamped
 Insufficient or wrong ballot material
 Booths not secret
 Voting outside booths

14. Presence & Impact
 Presence of more than one person in a booth at once
 Problems with assistance to blind/illiterate voters
 Ballot box not sealed properly
 Ballot box not visible by EMB
 Approximate time taken to process one voter
 Any questions about mobile ballot boxes

15.  Accounting procedure in terms of unused ballots & number
of persons voted
 Status of Ballot Box in Terms of Intact Seals
 Determination of Fairness & Impartiality of Count
 Reconciliation of Valid & Invalid Votes
 Filling of Protocols & Attachment of Complaints
 Assessment of technical shortcomings & serious/deliberate
irregularities
3. COUNTING PROCEDURE

16. • Were polling station protocols properly received?
• Were protocols tabulated in an orderly and credible manner?
• Were there any disagreements within the EMB?
• Were all parts of the process transparent, & did accredited
observers have satisfactory access?
• Are there any questions regarding legitimacy of the process?
THE KEY QUESTIONS

17. • Is the count conducted with integrity and accuracy?
• Is the tabulation transparent and an accurate reflection of
the polling booth count?
• Are results easily available to interested members of public?
• Does counting take place with no undue delay?
• Are parties & candidates allowed to observe the count?
THE KEY QUESTIONS…contd

18. CONCERNS?
COMMENTS?
QUESTIONS?