Project Description
From 2005 to 2010, Democracy International conducted a comprehensive review and assessment for USAID of vote count verification (VCV) techniques, including statistically based and comprehensive Parallel Vote Tabulations, exit polls, public opinion surveys, and postelection statistical analyses. The project reviewed the experiences with vote count verification in recent transitional or post-conflict elections and made recommendations on the advantages and disadvantages of various verification techniques, depending on the project’s specific objectives and the nature of the relevant political environment. As part of this study, DI conducted a number of activities in the US and abroad. In March 2007, working with The Carter Center, DI convened a roundtable of experts on vote count verification in Washington, DC. The presentations and discussion at the roundtable contributed to DI’s effort to synthesize recommendations for donors, policymakers, and implementers regarding VCV strategies and techniques in transitional and post-conflict elections. In June 2008, DI provided training on VCV for USAID officers at the 2008 USAID Democracy and Governance Conference. DI completed a comprehensive report in Fall 2010.