The 5-day training covers fundamental concepts of election situation rooms (ESRs), including their purpose of enhancing transparency and accountability in electoral processes. Day 1 focuses on key elements like the electoral cycle and importance of scenario building to plan for potential risks. It also defines ESRs, explores their advantages, and distinguishes between micro and macro ESR initiatives. Maintaining good stakeholder relationships is emphasized.

1. Election Situation Room
Professional Development Training
AfRO
Welcome

2. 2© 2016INTRODUCTION
Objectives of the course
Build professionalism (skills,
Knowledge and attitude)
relating to standards,
principles, practices and
processes involved in ESR
Analyse challenges and
prospects of ESR as
accountability enhancing
mechanism
Enhance leadership
competencies in sustainable
election management
Enhance Knowledge on
logistics requirements in
planning and implementation
of an ESR
To introduce ESR Course as a
capacity enhancing tool

3. 3© 2016INTRODUCTION
To give insights into
the principles, skills and
challenges involved in the
conduct of
properly implemented ESR

4. 4© 2016INTRODUCTION
5-day agenda
Fundamental
concepts and
elements in an
ESR
Planning and
preparation for an
ESR
Implementation
design of an ESR
Dynamics in
an ESR
ESR data
management and
evaluation methods
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

5. Fundamental concepts and
elements in an ESR
DAY 1

6. 6© 2016
DAY 1
1.1.1 Electoral cycle

7. 7© 2016
DAY 1
1.1.2 Electoral cycle
• Legal parameters governing electoral processes
• Human capacity for effective management of the
electoral process
• Planning and material resource management
• Implementation of events
• Sustainability of all essential elements in the
electoral process
• Standards and principles guiding the management
of the electoral process

8. 8© 2016
DAY 1
1.2.1 Importance of ESR scenario building
Scenario building is essential for:
1
Developing strategies to counter or mitigate them.
Anticipating the uncertainties, risks and constraints to the
electoral process which could be encountered; and
2

9. 9© 2016
DAY 1
1.2.2 ESR scenario building exercise
Group 1: Security
Group 2: Logistics
Group 3: Natural disaster
Group 4: Legal/political changes
Discuss your group’s Scenario and prepare a presentation that includes:
• A description of the scenario
• An impact assessment
• Strategies/responses to counter/mitigate the scenario
Categories:

10. 10© 2016
DAY 1
1.3.1 What is election observation?
• What is the meaning of election observation?
• What are the main activities involved?
• Explain the various types of election observation.
• What are some of the benefits of traditional election observation?
• What are some of the drawbacks of traditional election observation?
Discuss the following:

11. 11© 2016
DAY 1
The purposeful gathering of information with respect to an electoral process, and
making informed judgments on the conduct of such a process on the basis of the
information collected, by persons who are not authorized to intervene in the process.
Deployment, observing, report writing
Domestic, international, long-term and short-term
“The presence of observers at the polling and the count have a calming effect on the
election atmosphere and is believed to promote the transparency of both the polling and
counting of the ballots” (Carl Dundas)
Election observation has attracted too many groups, many of whom do amateurish work
1.3.2 Definition of election observation

12. 12© 2016
DAY 1
1.4 Definition of ESR
ESR is an information
sharing platform
between civil society groups
working on elections to
strengthen collaboration,
advocacy and provide rapid
responses to correct
dysfunctions in the management
of the electoral process.
ESR

13. 13© 2016
DAY 1
1.5 Advantages of ESR
As far as results, effects and impact are concerned, ESR provides
specific elements that are not so obvious or easy to produce through
other approaches:
+• Improving the reliability of data;
• Facilitating quick data analysis and exploitation;
• Reducing data discrepancies among observation missions;
• Ensuring timely correction of identified shortcomings and malfunctions;
• Creating synergy and unity through the unprecedented gathering, in one place, of a
wide variety of domestic election observation missions;
• Strengthening the credibility of civil society;
• Mobilizing the expertise of several civil society components;
• Rendering election results credible, as the case may be;
• Informing and pacifying the public.

14. 14© 2016
DAY 1
Macro ESR:Micro ESR:
1.6.1 Types of ESR initiatives
limited to either the transfer of real-time
data based on ICT and the
definition/implementation of rapid
response in order to correct failures by
the relevant stakeholders.
this arrangement includes not only the
transfer of real data on the voting process,
but also monitoring of violence, the media
and the attitude of the justice system, and/or
monitoring of the participation of
women/youth/minority and vulnerable
groups

15. 15© 2016
DAY 1
1.6.2 Fundamental differences between micro- and macro-ESR
Focuses on the period preceding and
following immediately polls
ESR designed primarily as an organizational set-
up seeking to undertake classical observation
through rapid response mechanisms so as to
contribute to swift correction of dysfunctions in
electoral operations
Indicators defined based on the electoral law
(focus)
Focuses on the full electoral process and its impact on
a country’s stability, on the role of civil society in
entrenching democracy and citizenship
ESR basically designed as a permanent forum for
discussion on the electoral process and CSO
collaboration on political governance, monitoring of the
recommendations and reforms in general
The same as micro ESR, with additional indicators
(pre- and post-election phases) stemming from the
situation analysis
Relatively high costs
High cost if resources (technical, financial, material)
are not pooled and data collection arrangement not
eased.
FOCUS
DESIGN
INDICA
TORS
COST
FOCUS
DESIGN
INDICATORS
COST
Micro ESR Macro ESR

16. 16© 2016
DAY 1
1.7 Maintaining good relationships with stakeholders
 Maintain open, two-way communication and dialogue with stakeholders;
 Share publications such as annual reports, election reports, financial reports and
newsletters with all stakeholders;
 Organize regular information meetings to which stakeholders are invited;
 Be sensitive to stakeholder needs and concerns;
 Consider seriously stakeholder views when making decisions;
 Treat stakeholders equitably, so that none are unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged
by EMB activities;
 Act transparently, with meetings open to scrutiny and follow-up;
 Maintain the highest standards of ethics, respect for human rights, impartiality and
care in its relationships with stakeholders; and
 Resolve equitably any conflicts between the needs of EMB members and staff, and
those of other stakeholders.

17. 17© 2016
DAY 1
1.8 Political/electoral analysis
01 02 03 04
The state of political
institutions and
power relations
The state of political
actors – their roles
and expectations
The state of socio-
cultural environment
– ethnicity and
religion, gender,
youth, etc.
The state of electoral
integrity

18. 18© 2016
DAY 1
1.9.1 Do you recommend an ESR in this situation?
Read the description of the situation in Lobinatongo in
Workbook ESR 1.9.1, and then debate the following:
Do you recommend that an ESR be initiated for the upcoming
election in Republic of Lobinatongo?
If no, why? If yes, under what conditions?

19. 19© 2016
DAY 1
1.9.3 ESR myths and realities
The ESR relies on ICT to have
real-time data and quickly
process them; but it should not
be viewed only as technology
that solves all the problems in
an election.
The SRE does not necessarily
promote regime change. And
that is not its purpose. What
matters most is that it can really
help to promote and ensure the
transparency of the electoral
process.
The SRE does not solve all
problems related to the
elections. Other concurrent or
alternative approaches are
needed to address various
issues of an election process.
The ESR combines actual
election observation with
monitoring.
The ESR addresses
all problems known
in an election,
through the use of
technology
The ESR is an
initiative that
promotes regime
change
The ESR is the best
instrument for
addressing all
election-related
issues
The ESR is rather
monitoring than
observation of
elections
MYTHREALITY