The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
i-18 how to collect and analyze quick count data, and Chapter Eight offers advice
on how to most effectively use the data on election day.
Quick counts are politically neutral—but those conducting quick counts must
take careful account of the political environment. Throughout the handbook, the
authors discuss how the local political context either facilitates, or impedes, quick
count preparations and how political considerations must come into play so that
the impartiality and accuracy of the quick count remain beyond question.
The authors do not presume to provide the definitive approach to quick counts
in this handbook. Each country’s history, culture and geography provide opportunities
and constraints that influence a quick count’s final organization.
Resource and time constraints may force compromises. Some groups may utilize
statistical sampling and analysis techniques described here but de-emphasize
speed during data collection. Others may follow the advice on how to build
a volunteer network and collect and use data, but they may not have the capability
to organize around a random sample of polling stations. Nonetheless,
the techniques discussed in this handbook should help any election monitoring
group improve its capacity to speak to what happened on election day on
a national basis and in a timely manner.
This handbook provides the basis for organizing and conducting quick counts,
but these techniques will almost certainly continue to evolve. New methods
may be discovered for managing data; observer forms may be refined to address
emerging issues. Cooperation among observer organizations, both domestic
and international, will likely improve. NDI looks forward to supporting organizations
that use their skill, talent and creativity to add to the rich legacy of
those that pioneered and developed this innovative and powerful tool.