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1- What is Election Observation?
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Election observation is based on the right of citizens to participate in government, the very precept from which electoral rights derive. Organizations which seek to observe elections mobilize non-partisan citizen observers to monitor key aspects of the electoral process from voting, counting and tabulation of results, to issues in the pre-election and post-election periods, including analysis of legal frameworks for elections, candidate nomination, voter registration, media, and the processing of election complaints. Election observation by nonpartisan domestic organizations helps to raise public confidence in the election process. It deters irregularities and electoral manipulation and exposes them if they occur, provides an important avenue for citizens to take part in electoral processes, and furnishes the domestic and international communities with important information concerning the integrity of elections, as well as recommendations for improving the process.
2- What is Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT)?
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Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) is an advanced observation methodology for observing Election Day processes. Citizen observers watch the voting and counting processes at specifically selected polling stations, record key information on standardized forms and report their findings to a central data collection center. Election observation organizations use this information to evaluate the overall quality of Election Day processes and, in cases where ballots are counted provisionally at the polling station level, verify the accuracy of official election results announced by election commissions.
3- What makes PVT different from traditional election observation?
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A cornerstone of PVT methodology is its use of the science of statistics. Rather than gathering data from arbitrarily selected polling stations - or every polling station - data is gathered from observers who are deployed to a statistically-sound, random, and representative sample of polling stations nationwide. This allows groups to quickly collect and analyze data collected on Election Day that are reliable and accurate within a small margin of error. As a result, PVT enables election observation organizations to make a more rapid, systematic, and comprehensive assessment of the quality of the election process.
4- Why is Project Rakeeb implementing a PVT?
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The main objective of Project “Rakeeb” is to empower the Egyptian people in the election process. These elections belong to the people of Egypt and it is up to us to determine for ourselves if the elections are credible. Each Egyptian only sees a small part of the election – just the part of the country where s/he lives. To make an informed decision about the conduct of the election process requires independent non-partisan information from across all of Egypt. It is only with such information that Egyptians can truly own the election and determine for themselves if the elections are credible.
5- What are the goals of PVT?
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Through the implementation of a PVT, Project Rakeeb aims to achieve the following:
- Encourage citizen participation in the electoral process
- Instill public confidence in the electoral process
- Deter fraud
- Detect fraud
- Report on the quality of the Election Day process
- Verify the integrity of election results (where ballots are counted at polling stations)
- Issue statements which include recommendations to strengthen the electoral process
6- What are the benefits of a PVT?
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PVT can play a vital role in promoting electoral integrity while enabling citizens to participate in a powerful way. Election observation organizations mobilize citizens to exercise their right to participate in government affairs and impart information to the public about critical aspects of the election process. Through PVT, citizens are providing other citizens with a non-partisan and comprehensive assessment of the Election Day process in a timely manner. When evidence of mistakes or misconduct is present, citizens can hold officials or political leaders accountable. When a PVT helps to validate a legitimate process, citizens can feel confident in the results and the legitimacy of the resulting government.
In cases where ballots are counted provisionally at the polling station level, an accurate and credible PVT can enable election observation organizations to verify the accuracy of the election results. By providing citizens with an independent, non-partisan verification of the official election results, PVT can help reduce post-election tensions and increase public confidence in the election outcome. When voters lack confidence in electoral authorities, reliable PVTs by credible entities can reduce the chances that the results will be manipulated and thereby increase citizen confidence in the outcome. Thus, a PVT can be used to bolster public confidence in electoral authorities and the election process.
7- Where was PVT implemented before?
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The first PVT was conducted in 1986 by the National Citizen Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) in the Philippines. Over the past 25 years, PVT has been implemented in nearly 40 countries, including Chile, Croatia, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Serbia, Slovakia and many other places. Project Rakeeb is implementing the first PVT ever in Egypt - and the Arab World.
8- When will Project Rakeeb issue statements?
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Project Rakeeb will issue statements during each round of the People’s Assembly elections. These statements will provide citizens with a rapid and accurate assessment of the Election Day process, notably about the quality of election administration and voting process at polling stations during each round nationwide. At the end of all three rounds, Project Rakeeb will issue a final statement about the overall quality of the People’s Assembly election process. Project Rakeeb will not observe the runoffs and will not issue any statements regarding the runoffs.
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