Applying Technology in Election Observation

1. Applying Technologyin Election Observation Using Mobile Phones in Election Observation: Global Best Practices and Lessons Learned NATIONAL ELECTION WATCH SIERRA LEONE

2. NEW Background • Formed in 2002 • Coalition of 375 Civil Society organizations • Established as a Permanent Observation group • Decentralized structure

3. NEW Organization Structure

4. Election Experience - 3 in 1 year PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! OR WE LEARNED FROM OUR MISTAKES!

5. Why SMS Messaging? To collect critical information Quickly To create a report on the process Within 24 hours

6. All Elections • All Polling Stations • Recruit Observers through member organizations • All Observers were accredited • Provide Observer Manual, tshirt, training and stipend • All Observers completed a Checklist submitted within 5 days • Priority Polling Stations • As above plus SMS reporting on 8 key areas within 24 hours • SMS Reporting form • SMS special instructions and training • Mobile phone credit sent directly to the phone

7. Eight Key Areas • Polling Centre Number • Were voters properly verified and inked? • Were ballots properly issued? • Was there campaigning around the polling station? • Were voting procedures properly conducted? • Did any individual interfere or unduly influence? • Was counted conducted in an orderly and transparent way? • The elections were free and fair • The conduct of electoral commission staff was satisfactory

8. Text Message Reporting Form

9. Data Centre Coordination • Centralized at Secretariat Headquarters • Staff (All from member organizations) • Centre Coordinator • Technical Support/Database Coordinator • Telephone/Data entry clerks • Equipment • 8 mobile phones with SIM cards to receive messages • 4 Computers to review and verify data as it arrives • Software • Central database to accept and upload messages

10. Observer Reporting

11. Data Centre (Simplified)

12. Limitations • Observers’ lack of familiarity with text messaging • Limited amount of time available for SMS training • No network coverage in some areas • Bad roads in rainy season • Observers changed phone numbers at the last minute • Technical problems sending phone credit to Observers

13. Overcoming Limitations • Observers’ lack of familiarity with text messaging combined with • Limited amount of time available for SMS training • Created an SMS tip sheet • Selected more experienced people • No network coverage in some areas combined with • Bad roads in rainy season • Transported Supervisors to the polling station to get the information then to a coverage area from where they sent the SMS

14. Overcoming Limitations continued • Observers changed phone numbers at the last minute combined with • Technical problems sending phone credit to Observers • Made sure the database of Observer information was sound • Verified phone numbers before sending phone credit • Sent credit the night before (any sooner and it will be used) • Ensured Observer was in coverage area so credit would be received • Supervisors sent the information with their own phone

15. Best Practices • SMS Information • Keep it simple • What is the most important information to have right away? • Exclude letters that look like numbers (I, L, O) • Multiple phone companies (We used 4) • Spread the risk • National coverage • Contact the phone companies in advance so they are aware • Observer Selection • Test for SMS experience and knowledge • Training is of paramount importance

16. Training

17. Best Practices (continued) • Supervisors are important • Evaluate the number of polling stations for each • Provide transportation • Centralize the Data Collection • Put resources and expertise in one place • Decentralize Responsibility • Key to NEW’s election success • Communication • Open and regular • All levels of the organization

18. NEW ELECTION OBSERVERS