Responsibilities for observing election-day activities are shared among the core team, LTOs,and STOs. Among these, however, STOs are the mission’s primary resource for observing and assessing election-day procedures at polling stations and at intermediate levels of the election administration. STOs are deployed around the country on election day, in international teams of two, to observe polling stations and counting centres.
Election-day observation can be a very individual experience, depending on the area of
deployment and the set of circumstances confronted by each observer team in the polling
stations they visit. Some observers may encounter significant problems, others may find no
problems, and still others may see a mixed picture. The ODIHR election observation methodology, which provides for a contribution by each observer team, is designed to achieve an overall picture of election-day proceedings. Observers fill in forms at each polling station and counting centre visited, which provides detailed information on the voting and counting process, and which in turn provides the election observation mission with an overall profile of polling-station activity throughout the country, upon which it can draw conclusions based upon a collective experience.
The ODIHR methodology for election-day observation is therefore both qualitative and quantitative.
Completing the forms in polling stations provides a basis for a countrywide statistical
analysis of the implementation of key election-day procedures. While there is a standard
form designed as a checklist for procedures in polling stations and counting centres, forms
do vary depending on country-specific procedures (see Annex B for a sample form). The
forms ensure that all important aspects of the election-day process are properly focused
on and reported and that key tendencies are identified correctly. The EOM statistical analyst
prepares a quantitative analysis of the results of observation.
In addition to filling out forms, STOs are asked to provide comments on noteworthy observations or impressions, both on their forms and in oral debriefings. They may sometimes be asked to prepare separate written reports on particular incidents or observations. Careful
commentary from STOs can be particularly important in establishing whether specific election-day violations took place and in discerning trends within the country or in particular
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