The Quick Count and Election Observation

THE QUICK COUNT AND ELECTION OBSERVATION
How can we trust your results when you got them from a few hundred
or thousand polling stations?
• Utilize this manual to explain the effectiveness of random sampling.
• Offer to schedule a formal or informal briefing with a statistician or quick
count adviser.
• Remind them that a few hundred polling stations actually represent hundreds
of thousands of voters!
• Provide concrete examples of the accuracy of quick count results in other
countries.
ANSWERING THE SKEPTICS
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Can we be sure that you will not manipulate the data at the central
level, to arrive at a desired result?
• Invite concerned individuals to a quick count simulation to witness the
communications and data processing systems (if security systems allow).
• Offer to place an advanced copy of your sample with a trusted individual,
such as a religious official or international observer.
• Offer to make public three or more samples, one of which you will be
using on election day.
THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Organizations that are new, little-known, or have other credibility issues should
prioritize a media campaign. A media campaign raises awareness about the
quick count, attracts volunteers to work on the project and answers any public
criticism leveled at the group.
Education is an important component of a group’s work with the media.
Members of the media rarely know what a quick count is, yet they are uniquely
placed to promote, or undermine, confidence in the methodology. Quick
count organizers often find it useful to hold seminars about quick count methodology
for journalists, publishers, editors and owners of media outlets.
A media campaign
raises awareness
about the quick count,
attracts volunteers to
work on the project
and answers any public
criticism leveled at
the group.
FIGURE 3-2:
PROMOTIONAL STICKER FOR CESID,
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
“1+1=2” INDICATES VERIFICATION
OF VOTE TABULATIONS