The Quick Count and Election Observation

C H A P T E R T W O : G E T T I N G S T A R T E D
16 operations. The members of the board of directors usually take on several or
all of the following:
• serve as a decision-making body on matters of project goals, policy and
implementation;
• recruit and hire an executive director to oversee day-to-day project operations
and advise on the hiring of additional personnel to carry out
organizing and implementation;
• direct the organization’s external relations—build and maintain relationships
with electoral authorities, government, political parties, the business
community, civil society, donors and the international community;
• manage or assist the executive director with fundraising;
• Serve as spokespersons and represent the group at public functions, press
conferences and other media events;
• form committees to study important emerging issues, such as pre-election
problems or legal rights of election observers; and
• authorize or approve public statements.
Key Personnel
Groups should consider a number of factors when recruiting individuals for
leadership or paid positions. These include:
• technical skill and experience;
• the quick count goals; and
• potential political implications.
The technical skills required for a successful quick count are similar for every
country; they are included below in job descriptions. The goals of each quick
count influence the general approach to staffing (e.g., a strong media campaign
effectively publicizes the quick count, which helps to deter fraud). The
political considerations for staffing are the same as those that apply to a board
FIGURE 2-1:
FUNCTIONAL TEAMS
FUNCTIONAL TEAM
Administration:
Media:
Technical:
Volunteer Coordination:
PRINCIPAL STAFF POSITIONS
Executive Director
Accountant
Media/Communications Specialist
Statistician (Part-time)
Computer Specialist
Database Manager
Volunteer Coordinator
Lead Trainer
Logistics Specialist
Regional Coordinators