Election Obligations & Standards Database

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Election Part

Vote Counting and Tabulation

The accurate and honest counting of votes plays an indispensable role in protecting individuals’ rights to vote and be elected. Regardless of the credibility of other parts of the electoral process, a flawed vote count can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and decrease public confidence and public acceptance of the results. While vote counting and tabulation processes vary in detail from country to country, accuracy, honesty, and transparency are universal principles that guide the process.

Relevant Obligations

Key

  • Macro-Level Obligation
  • Foundational Obligations
  • Individual Rights and Freedoms
  • Process-Focused Obligations

Issues

Legal Framework and Vote Counting and Tabulation

  • Key Obligations:
  • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
  • Rule of Law

The principles of rule of law were promoted

  • All are equal before the law, and laws should be equally enforced. [?]
  • Laws must be consistent with international human rights. [?]
  • States should take measures to promote the principles of the rule of law. [?]
  • Laws and procedures must not be arbitrarily applied. [?]

The laws regulating elections were equally enforced and were not arbitrarily applied

  • All are equal before the law, and laws should be equally enforced. [?]
  • States should take measures to promote the principles of the rule of law. [?]
  • Laws and procedures must not be arbitrarily applied. [?]
  • Closing and counting procedures should be established by law. [?]

The legal framework for elections was consistent with international human rights

  • Laws must be consistent with international human rights. [?]

The Election Calendar and Enjoyment of Rights

  • Key Obligations:
  • Periodic Elections
  • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights

The electoral calendar allowed sufficient time for all aspects of the electoral process to take place, including vote counting

  • Elections are to be held at periodic intervals. [?]
  • The scheduling of voting processes must allow adequate time to successfully implement other necessary components of the electoral process. [?]
  • States must take the steps necessary to give effect to human rights. [?]

Counting Cast Ballots

  • Key Obligations:
  • Universal Suffrage
  • Right and Opportunity to Be Elected

The state took proactive measures to promote voting by the broadest pool of eligible voters and ensure votes cast were counted

  • Elections must be held by universal suffrage. [?]
  • Every citizen has the right to be elected. [?]

The vote counting and tabulation process did not discriminate against anyone on the basis of prohibited grounds

  • Elections must be held by universal suffrage. [?]
  • Every citizen has the right to be elected. [?]

Vote counting and tabulation processes protected the right to be elected

  • Suspension or exclusion of participatory rights is prohibited except on grounds established by law and which are objective and reasonable. [?]
  • Elections must be held by universal suffrage. [?]
  • Every citizen has the right to be elected. [?]
  • Loss of the right to be elected may only be imposed following adjudication by a court. [?]
  • Candidates must be permitted to run either as party candidates or individually. [?]
  • Limits on those wishing to run for office must be based on objective and reasonable criteria. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including residency. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including citizenship. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including criminal conviction. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including support from a minimum number of citizens. [?]
  • Procedures should not create unnecessary technical barriers to participation by otherwise qualified eligible voters. [?]
  • Universal suffrage requires that the broadest reasonable pool of voters is guaranteed participatory rights. [?]
  • Methods to facilitate voting may include postal voting. [?]
  • Methods to facilitate voting may include electronic voting. [?]
  • Methods to facilitate voting may include mobile voting. [?]
  • Methods to facilitate voting may include making special provision for members of the military to vote. [?]
  • Political party and candidate representatives should be allowed in the polling station to observe polling. [?]

Determining Voter Intent

  • Key Obligations:
  • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights

The intent of the voter was taken into consideration when determining ballot validity

  • The intent of the voter should be taken into consideration when determining the validity of ballots. [?]

The state took the steps necessary to give effect to rights during the vote counting process

  • States must take the steps necessary to give effect to human rights. [?]

Safeguards to Prevent Falsification of Ballots

  • Key Obligations:
  • Equal Suffrage

Equal suffrage was respected throughout the electoral process, including vote counting, consistent with the concept of one person, one vote

  • Elections must be held by equal suffrage. [?]

Safeguards were put in place to ensure that there existed no opportunity to falsify or substitute ballots, including during the vote counting and tabulation process

  • Elections must be held by equal suffrage. [?]
  • The electoral system should endeavor to ensure equal suffrage by according each voter and vote equal weight. [?]
  • No opportunity should exist to falsify or to substitute ballot papers. [?]
  • Safeguards should be in place to ensure the accuracy of the vote, no matter the form of balloting or counting used (manual, mechanical, or electronic). [?]

Prevention of Corruption in Vote Counting

  • Key Obligations:
  • Prevention of Corruption

The electoral management body maintained and implemented policies to prevent, address, and penalize acts of corruption, including during the voting process

  • States must take measures to prevent corruption. [?]
  • Electoral legislation should include procedures and a range of penalties aimed at preventing corruption in various sectors. [?]
  • Corruption includes the solicitation or acceptance of something of value in exchange for an advantage. [?]
  • Corruption includes the offering or granting of something of value in exchange for an act or omission in the performance of a public function. [?]
  • Corruption includes fraudulent use or concealment of property derived from corrupt activities. [?]
  • Corruption includes participation or conspiracy to commit corrupt activities. [?]
  • Corruption includes any act or omission of official functions by a public official to gain illicit benefits. [?]
  • Corruption includes the use of state property for purposes other than those for which they were intended for the benefit of the public official or a third party. [?]
  • Corruption includes improper influence. [?]
  • States should implement or maintain effective policies that encourage public participation in order to discourage corruption. [?]

Transparency in the Reporting, Transmission, and Publishing of Election Results

  • Key Obligations:
  • Transparency and Access to Information
  • Prevention of Corruption

Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting

  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]

Access to information was guaranteed throughout the electoral process, including during the counting and tabulation process

  • Everyone has the right to seek and receive information. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of national security. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of territorial integrity. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of public safety. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting the reputation and rights of others. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting personal data. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of preventing crime or disorder. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence. [?]
  • Access to information may be restricted only in limited cases, including when an expression seeks to destroy other established rights. [?]

Results were published in a timely manner, were publicly announced, and were posted at the counting station

  • The results of the count should be published in a timely manner. [?]
  • Results should be publicly announced, including through posting at the counting station. [?]
  • Detailed results should be available down to the lowest levels of aggregation (polling station). [?]

Tallies were transmitted to higher levels of tabulation in a transparent and open manner

  • Ballot tallies must be transmitted to higher levels in an open manner. [?]

The counting process was verifiable and the ballots preserved for later review

  • Vote counting procedures should be verifiable and votes should be preserved for review. [?]

The state proactively put in the public domain government information of public interest

  • States should proactively put in the public domain government information of public interest. [?]

Votes were counted and reported honestly

  • Votes should be counted and reported honestly. [?]

International observers were accredited and were able to access and comment on all parts of the electoral process

  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]

Partisan and Nonpartisan Observation of Vote Counting and Tabulation

  • Key Obligations:
  • Freedom from Discrimination and Equality Before the Law
  • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights
  • Right and Opportunity to Participate in Public Affairs
  • Right and Opportunity to Be Elected
  • Transparency and Access to Information
  • Freedom of Association
  • Prevention of Corruption

Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting

  • The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
  • States should recognize accredited NGOs and facilitate their ability to conduct their activities. [?]
  • Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
  • States should involve civil society organizations and facilitate their effective participation in public decision-making processes. [?]
  • States should create, in law and practice, an enabling environment for civil society organizations to operate free from hindrance and insecurity. [?]

If electronic voting systems were used, there was an open and comprehensive audit

  • The audit system for electronic technologies should be open and comprehensive. [?]

Observers were able to access places used for vote counting and tabulation

  • Everyone has the right of equal access to any place or service intended for public use. [?]

Party agents and accredited observers were given copies of the protocols and tabulation sheets from the results center

  • Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]
  • Results centers should be established and accessible. [?]

The vote-counting process was transparent and observable

  • Suspension or exclusion of participatory rights is prohibited except on grounds established by law and which are objective and reasonable. [?]
  • Everyone has the right to participate in the public affairs of his/her country. [?]
  • Women have the right to participate in the public affairs of their country. [?]
  • Electoral legislation should include procedures and a range of penalties aimed at preventing corruption in various sectors. [?]
  • Corruption includes the solicitation or acceptance of something of value in exchange for an advantage. [?]
  • Corruption includes the offering or granting of something of value in exchange for an act or omission in the performance of a public function. [?]
  • Corruption includes fraudulent use or concealment of property derived from corrupt activities. [?]
  • Corruption includes participation or conspiracy to commit corrupt activities. [?]
  • Corruption includes any act or omission of official functions by a public official to gain illicit benefits. [?]
  • Corruption includes the use of state property for purposes other than those for which they were intended for the benefit of the public official or a third party. [?]
  • Corruption includes improper influence. [?]
  • States should promote transparency in public decision making as a means of combating corruption. [?]
  • States should implement or maintain effective policies that encourage public participation in order to discourage corruption. [?]
  • It is desirable that electoral commissions make decisions by a qualified majority or by consensus. [?]
  • Every citizen has the right to be elected. [?]
  • Loss of the right to be elected may only be imposed following adjudication by a court. [?]
  • The participation of observers, citizen and international, may enhance all aspects of the electoral process. [?]
  • Everyone has the right to association. [?]
  • Particular individual electoral rights should be extended to associations and political parties. [?]
  • Freedom of association may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of national security. [?]
  • Freedom of association may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of public safety/order. [?]
  • Freedom of association may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interests of public health or morals. [?]
  • Freedom of association may be restricted only in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting the rights and freedoms of others. [?]
  • Lawful restrictions of this freedom may also be placed on members of the armed forces and the police. [?]
  • Everyone has the right to associate with non-governmental organizations. [?]
  • States should recognize accredited NGOs and facilitate their ability to conduct their activities. [?]
  • Specific documentation may be required to establish an NGO. [?]
  • The administrative process for NGO registration should be applied with minimum margin of discretion. [?]
  • NGOs should be consulted at all stages of the legislative and/or administrative process that will determine their status. [?]
  • Any act or omission by a government organ that affects an NGO should be subject to administrative review and open to challenge. [?]
  • National law should not unjustifiably restrict the ability of any person to join an NGO. [?]
  • Candidates must be permitted to run either as party candidates or individually. [?]
  • Limits on those wishing to run for office must be based on objective and reasonable criteria. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including residency. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including citizenship. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including criminal conviction. [?]
  • Limits on individuals wishing to run for office may only be based on objective and reasonable criteria, including support from a minimum number of citizens. [?]
  • Public resources should not be abused in support of a particular political party or candidate. [?]
  • Political party and candidate representatives should be allowed in the polling station to observe polling. [?]
  • Candidates, party agents, and accredited observers should have access to polling stations. [?]
  • Candidates and party agents should have access to polling stations. [?]
  • Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]
  • The audit system for electronic technologies should be open and comprehensive. [?]
  • Votes should be counted and reported honestly. [?]
  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]
  • Ballot tallies must be transmitted to higher levels in an open manner. [?]
  • Results centers should be established and accessible. [?]
  • Vote counting should be a transparent and observable process. [?]
  • Observers should be permitted to follow all aspects and stages of an electoral process. [?]
  • States should create, in law and practice, an enabling environment for civil society organizations to operate free from hindrance and insecurity. [?]
  • Electoral processes involving technologies should meet the same requirements of universality, equality, integrity, transparency, and accountability as traditional voting. [?]

Protection of Ballot Secrecy

  • Key Obligations:
  • Secret Ballot

Regardless of the balloting method used, secrecy of the ballot was maintained throughout the electoral process, including during voting and tabulation. It was not possible to link cast ballots to specific voters during counting and tabulation

  • The election should be held by secret ballot. [?]
  • Secrecy of the ballot should be maintained throughout the entire voting process. [?]

The legal framework offered clear guidance on secrecy of the ballot throughout the election

  • The election should be held by secret ballot. [?]
  • Secrecy of the ballot should be maintained throughout the entire voting process. [?]
  • Electoral legislation and its regulations should offer clear guidance with respect to the secrecy of the ballot. [?]

Safety, Security, and Vote Counting and Tabulation

  • Key Obligations:
  • Right to Security of the Person

Security personnel played a positive role during the electoral process, providing protection for voters, candidates, and electoral management body personnel without interfering in the process

  • Everyone has the right to security of the person without arbitrary arrest or detention. [?]
  • Law enforcement should behave in a neutral manner. [?]
  • Counting should take place in an atmosphere free from intimidation. [?]
  • Any security-related restrictions of freedoms and the use of force by public security providers must be based in law, necessary, and proportionate to the objective of maintaining public order. [?]

Vote counting took place in an environment free of intimidation

  • Everyone has the right to security of the person without arbitrary arrest or detention. [?]
  • Law enforcement should behave in a neutral manner. [?]
  • Counting should take place in an atmosphere free from intimidation. [?]
  • States should ensure that violence, including online, does not undermine women's rights, including political participation and representation. [?]

Freedom of Movement and Vote Counting and Tabulation

  • Key Obligations:
  • Freedom of Movement

Freedom of movement was respected throughout the electoral process, including the immediate election period

  • Everyone has the right to freedom of movement within the borders of each state. [?]
  • Everyone has the right to leave and return to his/her own country. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted when provided by law, necessary in a democratic society, and consistent with other rights. [?]
  • Movement may be restricted, but such restrictions must be proportionate and be appropriate to achieve their protective function. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted in limited cases, including in the interest of national security. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted in limited cases, including in the interest of public order. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted in limited cases, including in the interest of public health or morals. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted in limited cases, including in the interest of protecting the rights and freedoms of others. [?]
  • Freedom of movement may only be restricted in limited cases, including in the interest of preventing crime. [?]

Training of Polling and Counting Workers

  • Key Obligations:
  • State Must Take Necessary Steps to Give Effect to Rights

The state educated officials and citizens on the vote counting and tabulation process

  • States must take the steps necessary to give effect to human rights. [?]
  • Necessary steps to give effect to human rights include education of the population and state officials in human rights. [?]

Protection of Personal Data

  • Key Obligations:
  • Transparency and Access to Information

Personal data controllers complied with data minimization, accuracy, confidentiality, integrity, and storage limitation obligations

  • Collection of personal data should be minimized, relevant, and limited to purposes pursued. [?]

Election Observation

  • Key Obligations:
  • Transparency and Access to Information

Candidates and their representatives, as well as observers, were able to observe polling and counting

  • Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]

The vote-counting process was transparent and observable

  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]

International observers were accredited and were able to access and comment on all parts of the electoral process

  • Candidates or their agents and accredited observers should be allowed to observe the counting and tabulation of the votes. [?]

Access to Information and Electoral Documents

  • Key Obligations:
  • Right and Opportunity to Participate in Public Affairs

The electoral management body provided citizens with access to information throughout the electoral process

  • Observers should be given copies of all protocols and tabulation sheets. [?]

Right to an Effective Remedy and Vote Counting and Tabulation

  • Key Obligations:
  • Right to an Effective Remedy

The legal framework provided clear guidance on the grounds for complaints and appeals as well as the processes for demanding a recount

  • The right to challenge election results should be provided for by law. [?]
  • The rules should provide a mechanism for challenging and for invalidating all or part of the election results. [?]
  • Fair rules should exist for the right to demand a recount. [?]
  • The rules should provide clear grounds upon which complaints and appeals are allowable. [?]

The right to challenge the election results was guaranteed by law

  • Remedy should be available for complaints arising throughout the electoral process. [?]
  • The right to challenge election results should be provided for by law. [?]
  • Vote counting procedures should be verifiable and votes should be preserved for review. [?]
  • The rules should provide a mechanism for challenging and for invalidating all or part of the election results. [?]
  • Arrangements should be made to hear petitions related to the announcement of results. [?]

The right to remedy was protected throughout the process

  • Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by a competent national tribunal for acts that violate his or her rights or freedoms. [?]
  • States must enforce a remedy when granted. [?]
  • Effective redress requires disputes to be dealt with in a timely manner. [?]

There was impartial scrutiny of the counting and tabulation process, and it was subject to judicial review

  • Vote counting procedures should be verifiable and votes should be preserved for review. [?]
  • There should be impartial scrutiny of the counting process and access to judicial review. [?]