CHECKLIST FOR THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE: GUIDELINES FOR A SMOOTH AND TRANSPARENT ELECTION

CHECKLIST FOR THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE: GUIDELINES FOR A SMOOTH AND TRANSPARENT ELECTION

The Elections Committee is expected to adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a smooth, orderly, credible and transparent electoral process.

1. Preparation and Arrival at the Venue

Members of the Elections Committee must arrive at the election venue by 5:00 a.m.

Ensure that the venue is fully prepared and ready for voting by 7:00 a.m.

Inspect all electoral materials to confirm that they correspond with the materials previously signed for.

Report any discrepancies or irregularities immediately for the necessary redress.

2. Youth and Women Organisers' Elections

Voting for the Youth Organiser and Women Organiser positions must begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 a.m.

Ballots for these positions must not be counted until the entire electoral process has ended.

Any Youth Organiser or Women Organiser who fails to vote within the designated period of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. should be allowed to vote during the main election process.

3. Dissolution of the Current Executive Committee

After the designated voting period for the Youth and Women Organisers, proceed to dissolve the current constituency executive committee before commencing the main elections.

The remaining elections should begin at 10:00 a.m.

4. Voting Procedures and Identification

Voters must present either a valid Party Membership Identity Card or a National Voter ID card for identification.

Every delegate must obtain and wear a delegate tag before entering the voting area.

Proxy voting is strictly prohibited.

Each delegate must vote for only one candidate for each position.

For the election of the other eight executive positions, delegates must select only one candidate for each position, in accordance with the applicable electoral rules.

Any ballot on which a delegate votes for more than one candidate for a single position must be rejected as invalid.

5. Polling Booth Arrangement and Security

Position the polling booth in a manner that allows election officials to observe voters from behind without compromising the secrecy of their ballots.

Taking photographs of marked ballot papers is prohibited.

Security personnel must prevent mobile phones from being taken into the polling booth.

Candidates and their supporters must not wear T-shirts identifying particular candidates within the voting area.

6. Application of Indelible Ink

For the Youth Organiser and Women Organiser elections, indelible ink must be applied to the delegates' left ring fingers.

For the main elections, the ink must be applied to the delegates' left fingers, as specified in the electoral guidelines.

7. Closing of Polls

The official closing time for voting is 5:00 p.m.

However, any voter who is already in the queue at the official closing time must be allowed to vote before the process is concluded.

8. Counting of Ballots and Declaration of Results

Counting must begin only after the entire electoral process has ended, including the voting for the Youth and Women Organiser positions.

Candidate agents must be allowed to observe the counting process to promote transparency and accountability.

The official from the Elections Committee must declare the results.

For the election involving eight executive positions, the eight candidates who receive the highest number of valid votes shall be declared winners, subject to the applicable electoral rules.

9. Swearing-In of Winners

All elected candidates must be sworn into office immediately after the official declaration of the results, in accordance with the applicable party procedures.

10. Documentation and Submission of Results

The Elections Committee must keep accurate records of all elected candidates and the final results.

The completed results must be forwarded to the Regional Secretary and the Regional Elections Director for documentation and any necessary follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The Elections Committee must remain impartial, vigilant and committed to fairness throughout the electoral process. Strict adherence to the applicable electoral guidelines will help promote transparency, maintain order and strengthen confidence in the outcome of the elections.

Every stage of the election must be conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the applicable electoral rules.

Source:Bibianinews.com