VoICE. NET

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 1 VoICE International

EDITORIAL BOARD

UMESH SINHA dhIReNdRa ojha S D SHARMA DR. AARTI AGGARWAL Editor-in-Chief Election Advisor Associate Editor Election Commission of India Election Election Commission of India Commission of India Commission of India

PadMa ANgMo ARIN KUMaR SAFAA E. JasIM LYDIA MACHELI Election Fijian Elections Office Independent High Independent Commission of India Electoral Commission Electoral Commission Iraq Lesotho

JANE GITONGA Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Kenya

NaZMa NIZaM VASU MOHAN ADHY AMAN Election Commission of International Foundation International IDEA Maldives for Electoral Systems

2 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International

EDITORIAL BOARD

UMESH SINHA S.D SHARMA DR. AARTI AGGARWAL DHIRENDRA OJHA PADMA ANGMO ZUBNAH KHAN Editor-in-Chief Advisor Associate Editor Member Member Member Election Election Election Election Election Fijian Elections Office Commission of India Commission of India Commission of India Commission ofVoICE India Commission International of India * ADVISORY BOARD

SAFAA IBRAHIM JASIM JANE GITONGA LYDIA MACHELI MS. NAZMA NIZAM VASU MOHAN ADHY AMAN Member Member Member Member Member Member IHEC, Iraq IEBC Kenya IEC Lesotho Election Commission of IFES International IDEA Maldives

DR. ABDUL KHABIR AsadUZZaMaN ZEHRA TEPIC PhUb DoRjI DR. FABIO LIMA ADVISORYMOMAND BOARD Election Central Election Election QUINTAS Independent Election Commission, Commission, Commission of Bhutan Superior Electoral Commission of Afghanistan Bangladesh Bosnia & Herzegovina Court, Brazil * *

DR. ABDUL KHABIR BERNADETTE O’MEARA ASADUZZAMAN PHUB DORJI DR. FABIO LIMA MARIYA MUSORLIEVA MOMAND Australian Electoral Election Election QUINTAS CEC Republic IEC Commission MARICommission,YA MUSORLIEVA CommissionDAYANA of LEO BhutanN FRA NCO Superior ElectoralNATIA ZAAL ISHVILI of Bulgaria U TIN TUN MARILYN KATJITUNDU Afghanistan CECBangladesh Republic National Electoral Court, Brazil Central Election Union Election Electoral Commission of Bulgaria Council, Ecuador Commission of Georgia Commission, of Namibia Myanmar * *

NATIA ZAALISHVILI DHARMAJAI MULLOO JOSE’ ROBERTO RUIZ U TIN TUN MARILYN KATJITUNDU NAVARAJ DHAKAL Central Election Office of the NNationalAVARAJ ElectoralDHAKAL UnionHE RNElectionANE VI EGAS Electoral CommissionDR NoMsa Mas UkU ElectionJA MES TZUNG-YU LAI KHAMEYEL FENNICHE Election SANTIAGO Electoral Central Election High Independent Commission of Georgia Electoral Commissioner Institute, Mexico Commission, of Namibia Commission of Nepal Commission of Nepal Democratic Republic of Commission of South Commission, Taiwan Election Commission Mauritius MyanmarSao Tome & principe Africa Tunisia

BeRNadette O’MeaRa Australian Electoral Commission

DR NOMSA MASUKU KHAMEYEL FENNICHE J.A.S.P JAYAS JAYASINGHEINGHE SUMEETASUMEETA BANERJEE BANERJEE DR M P SINGHDR. M P SINGH DR. RAVI GARGESHDR. RAVI GARGESH Electoral High Independent SriSri Lankan Lankan Election Election United United Nation Nations Member Member Member Member Commission of South Election Commission CommissionCommission DevelopmentDevelopment Africa Tunisia ProgrammeProgramme

*Photograph not available 2 VoICE International April - June 2017 DHARMAJAI MULLOO Jose’ RobeRto RUIZ Office of the National Electoral Electoral Commissioner Institute, Mexico Mauritius

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 3 Editorial I take pleasure and pride in presenting our fourth issue of VoICE International that marks the completion of Volume I. VoICE.NET has further grown with joining in of the EMBs of Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and Taiwan as the new members of the VoICE International. That takes our membership to 27 which includes 24 EMBs and 3 Expert International Institutions. I take this opportunity to welcome the new members and hope they will find this knowledge sharing experience enriching. We bring to you the knowledge and experience on ‘Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Uniformed Services Voters’ which includes rich contributions from the EMBs of Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fiji, India, Iraq, Nepal and Sri Lanka besides articles from International IDEA and IFES. In this issue, we also have special articles on different topics from the Chairman of the National Electoral Council of Ecuador on ‘Participation of the Public Force and Integral Security in Electoral Processes: A perspective from Ecuador’ and a new initiative regarding Electoral Education from Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho. Our Senior Fellow, Mr. S D Sharma has also contributed a featured article on this subject which is a fairly comprehensive compilation of information on this subject from few other countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America. Articles contributed by all makes this Issue truly global, representing all the continents and will surely help in holistic comprehension of the subject. The additional informative segments of this magazine have been further enriched to provide larger set of information and attraction to the readership.

4 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Uniformed Services Voters are distinct category of voters whose registration as electors and participation in the elections - both remain a challenge for most of the countries. To bridge the deficit both in registration and participation, there is a need to have greater support of legal instruments, enabling technology as also efficient and effective methods of Voter education. The support and cooperation from the countries of residence is also equally important. The issues and challenges of voting from out of the country are complex and their dimensions are also different for different countries. Learning from each other can definitely help in resolving the issues to a great extent. I dedicate this issue of VoICE International to ‘Overseas Electors and Service Voters’ and hope that information provided in this issue from across the globe will be useful for the all the EMBs and other important stakeholders. I am also very happy to announce that the topic for the next issue will be ‘Using Digital Technology and Social Media for Voter Education’.I hope this topic will arouse a lot of interest in sharing the best practices by the participating EMBs and International Organizations. I am also sure that the members will eagerly wait for the next issue to be published in the first quarter of the New Year 2018. I take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Sunil Arora, Election Commissioner as a new member in the Election Commission of India. We look forward to his guidance and support for VoICE.NET and VoICE International. On the eve of the New Year, 2018, I wish a very happy new year to all the members of the board and readers of this magazine.

Umesh Sinha Executive Secretary, VoICE.NET and Editor-in-Chief, VoICE International

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 5 in this issue Oct - Dec 2017 | Volume 1 No. 4 CONTENTS Featured Articles 11 BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA Educational and Motivational Campaign – Voters outside Bosnia and Herzegovina

14 BRAZIL Political Participation and Extraterritoriality

21 INDIA Every Indian Vote Counts: The Online Survey for the Overseas Indians 25 IRAQ Out of Country Voting (OCV) 27 NEPAL Enabling Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Uniformed Services Voters 16 ECUADOR 29 SRI LANKA Participation of the Public Force and Some Perspectives On Out of Country Voting for Integral Security in Electoral Processes Sri Lankans 19 FIJI 31 INTERNATIONAL IDEA Enabling Overseas Voters’ Registration Out of Country Voting in a Globalized World: and Awareness What are the Implications?

VoICE Box 35 IFES Out-of-Country Voting – A brief Overview 08 Message for EMBs 38 Insights Perspectives 74 Announcements 88 Ballot Stories 50 Special Initiatives 93 Vignettes 82 Publications 63 Events 96 Glossary & Quiz

All rights reserved. The material (i.e writing, artwork and/or photos) featured in this publication may be used or reproduced with an acknowledgement to the author, their institution, and VoICE International at the Election Commission of India. However, any material downloaded or copied from VoICE International should be an exact reproduction and without any alteration whatsoever.

6 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 MESSAGE

DIRECCION NACIONAL DE

RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES, COOPERACION Y OBSERVACION ELECTORAL

Ofieio Nro. CNE-DNRICOE-2017-0050-Of Quito, 30 de octubre de 2017

Asunto : Acceptance of Membership to VoICE.NET

Shri A.K. Joti, Chief Election Commissioner ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA En su Despacho

Dear Sh. Joti

Please receive a warm greeting from the National Electoral Council of Ecucador (CNE), and its Chairman, Dr. Juan Pablo Pozo Bahamode.

Hereby, I refer to the Letter No.491/ECI/DO/SVEEP-IIVoice.net/2016/Vol-II, by which the Election Commission of India issue formal invitation to the National Electoral Council to be part of the global initiative VoICE.NET and to contribute to the publication VoICE International.

On behalf of Dr. Juan Pablo Pozo, it is my pleasure to announce the acceptance of the National Electoral Council to become a member of such an important knowledge network. Likewise, the would like to nominate Ms. Dayana Leon Franco, Advisor, as the Member Secretary of our institution.

I look forward to working together for the continuous improvement of our electoral practices.

Sincerely,

Atentamente,

Sr. Marin Gabriela Cordero Correa DIRECTORA NACIONAL DE RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES, COOPERACION Y OBSERVACION ELECTORAL

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 7 The Central Election Commission of ROC (Taiwan) 1OF, 5, XuZhou Rd. Taipei, Taiwan 10055

Email: [email protected] TEL: +886-2-23565460 FAX: +886-2-23976895 Honorable A. K. Joti, Chief Election Commissioner, 27th Election Commission of India, October 2017 Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi -110001, India.

Your Excellency,

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Taiwan, ROC is honoured to receive your letter of invitation to be a part of the VoICE.NET. The CEC cherishes its friendship with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and would like to express our appreciation for India’s efforts in promoting VoICE.NET by showing our support. The CEC is pleased to accept your kind invitation and become a member of this global initiative. Mr. James Tzung-yu Lai of our Department of Electoral Affairs will serve as Member Secretary for the VoICE.NET. I believe VoICE.NET will facilitate the exchange of electoral information and professional knowledges between member EMBs. It is most certain that this repository of electoral knowledges will offer plenty of brilliant ideas to inspire experts and practitioners in carrying out voter education in their country.

The exchange of experience is the most effective way for improving and innovating electoral processes. The ECI and the CEC are both members of the Association of World Electoral Management Bodies (A-WEB) and the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA). Through the participation in international organizations, we have received opportunities to share electoral experiences and learn from each other. Henceforth, it is our sincere hope that the cordial relations and cooperation between our commissions will continue to strengthen and prosper through the collaboration in VoICE.NET.

Lastly, please accept my best wishes for your personal well-being and success in the high

Sincerelyoffice which yours, you have been entrusted.

Dr. I-Chou Liu Chairman Central Election Commission, Taiwan, R.O.C.

8 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 The importance of participation in elections, the use of the right to vote and to be elected are the basic democratic rights. To be able to enjoy these rights in full, the voter must be informed of his/her rights and obligations. That is why the education of voters takes central stage in the electoral process. The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina devotes great attention to the education and information of voters and all interested parties. By

work on October 9, 2017, this part of the electoral process establishing the Education Center which officially began to the curriculum of the Center will encompass all actors should be significantly improved in the coming years, and of electoral process. The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the launch of the VoICE.NET platform, which will not only represent global knowledge network but will surely enable the exchange of experiences, good practice and enhance understanding of the various challenges the electoral management bodies encounter in carrying out the elections. By learning from

that the activities that we will be carried out in co-operation each other we can achieve much more and we are confident with the Election Commission of India, envisaged by the Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2017, will raise our co-operation to a higher level.

Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić President, Central Election Commission, BiH

Ecuador

I hereby write to you after my designation as Member Secretary to VoICE.NET by Dr. Juan Pablo Pozo Bahamonde, Chairman of the National Electoral Council. It is a great honour for me to have the opportunity to contribute to such an important network for the exchange of knowledge and learning as VoICE.NET.

From the National Electoral Council and the Institute for Democracy, which is an institution attached to the CNE, we will be continuously contributing to the network, and, at the same time, we consider it would be important to make the e-publications of VoICE International available in our digital library, which you can visit in the following link: http://bit.ly/2bEFRP1

I reiterate my gratitude and commitment to keep coordinating actions, which have so far been very effective through to the permanent collaboration of our co-worker Mr. Byron Tobar.

Warm regards,

Dayana León CNE

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 9 Sao Tome & Principe Brazil

our willingness to be part of VoICE.NET and We are very pleased to see how VoICE Thank you for your invitation and I confirm international VoICE initiative. International is been strengthened each issue. Congratulations on the great work and please Best Regards let us know if you need anything further. Hernane Viegas Santiago Chairman of the Executive Board Looking forward for the next issues. TElect-STP (Transparência Eleitoral São Best regards,

Tomé e Prí�ncipe) Fábio L. Quintas [email protected] [email protected]

From The Editor

One of the most dedicated members of the VoICE International Community, the Superior Electoral Court of Brazil has been with VoICE.NET ever since its conception. A consistent contributor to the knowledge sharing portal, the Superior Electoral Court has shared valuable insights on topics such as ‘A quest for Political Accessibility’, ‘Participation of Women in Brazilian politics’, ‘Information Technology for developing election apps’, ‘Computerization of the vote’,

issue, ‘Practices on reaching out to overseas electors’. ‘Political and electoral reforms’, ‘Facilitating Persons with Disabilities’ and finally in the current Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court was one of the 25 Election Management Bodies and International Organizations from across the world that participated in ‘International Conference on Voter Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical Participation’ held in October 2016 at

Declaration. New Delhi, India. The Conference was significant as it witnessedEducation the signing Network), of the aNew global Delhi VoICE.NET Henceforth (Voter Information, Communication, was knowledge network for sharing knowledge, resources and expertise on Voter Education, launched as a part of New Delhi Declaration.

The Superior Electoral Court has recently translated the New Delhi Declarationhttp://www.tse.jus. into Portugese. To access the Portuguese version of the declaration one can follow the link br/o-tse/escola-judiciaria-eleitoral/voice.net and click at “Declaração de Nova Déli”.

They have also published an article about VoICE.NET in their review available at http://www.tse.jus.br/hotsites/catalogo-publicacoes/pdf/estudos_eleitorais/estudos_eleitorais_ v12-n2.pdf.

10 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 BiH Central Election Commission, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Educational and Motivational Campaign - Voters outside Bosnia and Herzegovina

n accordance with the provisions of the Voter register, TV spots and radio jingles are Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, prepared, and press releases are published in Ieach citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina the widely circulated newspapers. (hereinafter B & H) who has attained eighteen In the last two election cycles, a promotional (18) years of age has the right to vote and to video material was created for this voter be elected. In order to achieve his or her right category, with detailed explanations of how to vote, a B&H citizen must be registered in the voters can register for voting by mail, and how Central Voter Register. Since 2006, so-called Passive registration for the voters who live PRP 2). These application forms are posted on in the country is in effect. This registration the webapplication page of forms the institution. can be filled (PRP 1 and implies the creation of the Central Voter Also, via the diplomatic – consular in the civil registry of citizens. However, for theRegister voters based temporary on data residing from the abroad official B&H records Herzegovina (hereinafter DCRO B&H) network representation office of Bosnia and (due to temporary work, scholarships, studies, and the partner associations of B&H citizens abroad, informative materials - application B&H with a refugee status, to be on an excerpt forms, voting guides outside B&H, video fromresearch the Centralor scientific Voter work), Register or personsfor voting from material and all other relevant materials are outside B&H, there is an obligation to submit submitted to voters outside B&H. registration to the Central Election Commission Furthermore, since 2010, the Central Election of B&H for each election within the prescribed Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in deadline. cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs In order to provide timely informing about of Bosnia and Herzegovina, continuously work all relevant segments of the electoral process on the education and information of voters and the greater turnout of the elections,the living outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, B&H Central Election Commission carries out through the visits to DCRO BiH and meetings an educational and motivational campaign for with associations of citizens of B&H who live this voter category, and these activities are abroad, in order to animate them for voting in elections. The period of realization of the educational Furthermore, the Central Election Commission particularly intensified during the election year. campaign lasts from the announcement of the of B&H establishes regularly an info-line (help- election in may until the end of september, line), after the election announcement. This since the elections in B&H were held on the info-line provides assistance and information to voters outside B&H but it also serves as help- line for the voters in B&H for checking polling Thefirst sunday Campaign in october. data. The campaign goal of ‘Registration of Voters in the Central Voter Register’ is that voters The website of the institution is regularly temporary residing abroad get familiarize maintained and updated all the time, in order with the manner and the deadlines for to inform the voters and all the participants voting outside B&H. For the purposes of the in electoral process timely. All information voter registration campaign in the Central of polling station location, decisions, press significant for the electoral process, verification Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 11 BiH Central Election Commission, Bosnia and Herzegovina

releases, statistics, by-laws and norms are Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne), France (Strasbourg). in this way available for the public. All video After the Central Election Commission of materials used in informative and motivational B&H passed a decision about the closure and campaign are available on the web site and YouTube channel too. for the 2016 Local Elections in Bosnia and Case Study-Local Elections in 2016 Herzegovina,confirmation ofit wasthe Centralfound that Voter a total Register of 287 voters enrolled in the Central Voter Register The Central Election Commission of B&H and outside Bosnia and Herzegovina in the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&H, in order diplomatic and consular missions of B&H and to animate and educate voters living outside 65,111 voters who signed up to vote by mail. activities for education and informing voters The usage of the direct educational campaign livingof Bosnia outside and B&HHerzegovina, in 2016. intensified their method, or direct contact with voters living outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proved to The CEC B&H has undertaken, in the be the best way for motivational campaign for framework of its legal obligation, all necessary voters outside B&H. The number of voters who steps to inform the voters who are residing registered to vote outside B&H from 2010 to abroad about all current issues from that area. 2016 increased by 77.54%, ie by 28.438 voters. Special attention is devoted to the motivation (Table 1) of voters living outside of B&H to register and achieve their voting rights through the After educational campaign was conducted following activities: successfully for voters outside Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central Election Commission The decision on the realization of of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the education and information of voters decision on the diplomatic and consular • outside B&H was made; representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina in For the purposes of the implementation which administration of voting for the 2016 of this activity, teams were formed. The local Elections. A total of 5 polling stations were • members of the CEC of B&H were in the set up in the DCRO B&Hwhere registered voters teams and their activities were related to: - could vote for the Local Elections in 2016. information and education of voters about (The Republic of Austria-Vienna and Graz, the the registration process for voting outside Federal Republic of Germany-Stuttgart and the country; Munich and the Republic of Serbia-Belgrade). Educational-direct campaign with voters living After the appointment of the polling boards outside of B&H has been conducted in the in the DCRO B&H, the Central Election following countries: Croatia (Zagreb), Slovenia Commission of B&H, in co-operation with the (Ljubljana), Austria (Vienna, Graz, Salzburg); Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&H, organized Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Stockholm, Malmo), a training program for the presidents and Denmark (Copenhagen), Switzerland (Bern), members of the polling boards, as well as their The United States (Atlanta, Jacksonville, deputies in the DCRO B&H. Washington), Germany (Munich, Frankfurt,

Table1: Showing the registration of voters living outside B&H

Voters registered for Registered for Voted in No Elections Voted by mail voting by mail and DKP voting in DKP DKP

General 1. 36.673 23.338 0 0 elections 2010.

Local elections 2. 37.359 24.562 0 0 2012.

General 3. 42.128 28.001 245 138 elections2014.

Local elections 4. 65.111 41.196 287 146 2016.

12 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 BiH Central Election Commission Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dr. Suad Arnautovic, a memmber of CEC B&H–with the representatives of the Associations of Consulate Genral of B&H in Stuttgart

Delegation of CEC B&H with the representatives of Community of Serbs and religious community in Atlanta and representatives of Embassy of B&H in Washington

Zehra Tepic Senior Voter Information Specialist Bosnia and Herzegovina

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 13 BRAZIL Superior Electoral Court

Political Participation and Extraterritoriality

rom the political point of view, people is there are not excluded of the political process. 'the voting group which has politicized Thus, there is no relationship between political Fitself (namely, has assumed decisory participation and territoriality. Territoriality is capacity), in other words, the electoral body'1. relevant for the concept of population, which Thus the core of the concept of people is the has a demographic bias, not for the concept bias of political participation. of people, community of persons entitled to participate in the political decisions of the As the Brazilian constitution stipulates that country. As Afonso Arinos puts it, 'people in 'all power emanates from the people, that legal sense is not the same as population in exercises it through representatives or directly' demographic sense. People is that part of the (Article 1, sole paragraph), it enshrines population which is capable to participate popular sovereignty and the democratic in the democratic process through elections, principle. According to Gomes Canotilho such within a variable system of limits that depends principle “hosts the most important postulates on each country in each time'4. of representative democratic theory - representative bodies, periodic elections, party How is Brazil ensuring and pluralism, separation of powers”2. promoting political participation of Naturally, not all people are entitled to take Brazilians overseas? part in the political process. Going into the legal Considering the rule of compulsory concept of people, Carlos Blanco de Morais voting5, Brazilians residing in Brazil but correlates the notion of people to the one of occasionally abroad, thus out of their electoral nationality3 circumscription, should justify their absence. It of political participation: only nationals can may not sound like one, but it is also a political . Here we reach the first restriction take part in the political process. There are participation rule. still other restrictions directly related to As for Brazilians residing abroad one should the enlistment and the right to vote such as distinguish between those who reside abroad minimum age to vote (16 years old) & to be and those who have their electoral domicile voted (18 years old or more depending on the in the foreign country and those who reside abroad but maintain their electoral domicile in intendedHowever, office).there are no participation restrictions Brazil. This last situation is possible because related to territoriality. On the one hand, the of the traditional difference between residence sole circumstance of residing in Brazil or and domicile. Although Brazilian Electoral Code being in Brazilian territory does not entitle in its Article 42, sole paragraph, stipulates that foreigners to participate in the political 'domicile is the place of residence or housing', process. Although, Brazilians occasionally the Superior Electoral Court understands staying abroad or even the ones who reside that electoral domicile is determined by

1 Paulo Bonavides, Ciência Política, p. 80. 2 J. J. Gomes Canotilho, Direito Constitucional e Teoria da Constituição, p. 288. 3Carlos Blanco de Morais, O sistema político no contexto da erosão da democracia representativa, p. 21. 4Jornal do Brasil, edition of August 22th 1963. 5As exception voting is facultative for analphabets, persons between 16 and 18 years old and persons over seventy years old.

14 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 BRAZIL Superior Electoral Court

the existence of political, social, affective, in 2014 when nine hundred and fifty four patrimonial or business bonds, and so domicile sections were totalised. can differ from residence. Therefore, regarding Although the amount of absent electors is yet Brazilians residing abroad but with electoral considerable the numbers also reveal that domicile in Brazil, such citizens can only vote participation is increasing. In 2010 more than within their electoral zone. If they are abroad 55% of the overseas electors did not vote; this then they should justify their absence just like percentage was decreased to 40% in 2014. Brazilians occasionally abroad. The increasing political participation of Finally, as for brazilians residing abroad, they Brazilian citizens with electoral domicile are entitled to enlist or to transfer to the so overseas points out that, despite of leaving called Overseas Electoral Zones, linked to national territory to reside around the world, Regional Electoral Court of Federal District (in Brazilians maintain an interest in the political portuguese Tribunal Regional Electoral - TRE- course of their home country. This represents DF). TRE-DF organizes elections overseas along the maintenance of cultural bonds, of the 'idem with consulates and diplomatic missions. It is sentire' that composes the core of the idea worth highlighting that such citizens are only of nation, that extrapolates borders and the entitled to vote for president and vice-president, vicissitudes of life that nowadays make more and have no participation in the election of than 3 million Brazilians live abroad. councillors, mayors, governors, state and federal deputies and senators. The number of overseas electors enlistment Prof. Dr. Fábio L. Quintas and appearance at elections is increasing Director of Superior Electoral Court Brazil significantly. According to the Electoral Justice Elections, around two hundred thousand data, on the first round of the 2010 General overseas electors were able to vote; in 2014 Prof. Adisson Leal such number reached more than three hundred Chief-Advisor of Superior Electoral Court In 2017 there were five Brazil hundred and seventy nine overseas electoral and fifty thousand. sections, a number that has almost doubled

REFERENCES

JORNALBONAVIDES, DO BRASIL. Paulo. Ciência Edition Polí�tica. of August 18 22th ed. São 1963. Paulo: Malheiros Editores, 2011. CANOTILHO, J. J. Gomes. Direito Constitucional e Teoria da Constituição. 7 ed. Coimbra: Almedina, 2003. Almedina, 2017. MORAIS, Carlos Blanco de. O sistema polí�tico no contexto da erosão da democracia representativa. Coimbra:

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 15 Ecuador Consejo Nacional Electoral

Participation of the Public Force and Integral Security in Electoral Processes

n Ecuador, democratic aspects and values parts of the territory and not precisely in the bind together electoral institutions with the polling station corresponding to their registry Ipublic force. This contributes to a society and electoral domicile. that has the effective guarantees for its right to Regarding the integrality of electoral processes, vote. In this regard, this article aims to analyze the electoral institution had at its disposal the the actions of the National Electoral Council National Security Plan, whose objective was to provide integral physical security to the regarding the institutional actions undertaken electoral process 2017, and thus guarantee the together(CNE) from with the the following Armed Forcesconsiderations: and the first, sovereign will of the citizenry in the exercise of National Police; and second, about the elements their political-electoral rights. oriented to the integral security in every phase of the electoral processes. Its purposes were the following: to coordinate the implementation of integral security before, It is important to mention that, according to during and after the General Elections 2017 Article 11 of the Organic Law on Elections with those entities of the public sector involved and Political Organizations – Code of in the electoral process; to implement security Democracy (2009), voting shall be mandatory devises in the facilities of the CNE nationwide, for Ecuadorians over eighteen years of age, as well as in the transportation and custody of including people deprived of their liberty the electoral package; and to provide custody and security to the Centers for Processing of Likewise, it establishes that voting shall be Results and the Electoral precincts. optionalwithout afor final people judgement between of sixteenconviction. and seventeen years of age, elderly persons over security desk, not In the specific case of the installation of the abroad, members of the Armed Forces and Nationalthe age of Police sixty-five in active years, service, Ecuadorians persons living with principles of only it fulfils the disabilities and illiterate people. Additionally, our public it determines that voting shall be optional for foreigners over sixteen years of age who have legally resided in the country for at least

register. five years, and are registered in the Electoral In order to accomplish the exercise of the right to vote, the CNE promoted a process of delivery of credentials to the members of the Armed Forces and the National Police. The purpose of this initiative was that all the personnel of these institutions could exercise their right to voluntary vote from wherever they are on the Election Day, given that, due to their functions,

they may be fulfilling activities in different

16 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 responsibilities, but also responds to the citizens’ demands for security during an electoral process. In its composition, this Security Desk is a temporary body that seeks to coordinate every entity of the public sector participating directly or indirectly in the electoral processes, for the purpose of monitoring and supporting, in a de-concentrated manner, the activities that may be required in each province of the country. Its operations entails the strategic each ministry at a national level, in order to, if distribution of officials and equipment of necessary, activate contingency plans and solve legality any emergency that may arise throughout the around national territory before, during and after the the procedures electoral process, and in the most appropriate in elections. This times. affected equally to the guarantees related to the importance of vote equality and the citizenry’s of the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry political participation. In every case, he tended ofSpecifically, Interior, Coordinator the security Ministry desk is composed of Security, to think freedoms and securities in an integral Integrated System ECU 911, National Secretary manner. of Risk Management, Ministry of Education, In this regard, it is important to use these Ministry of Health, Ministry of Sports, Ministry spaces not only to refer to the normative of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Ministry competencies we have in our institutions, but of Transport and Public Works, National also to the responsibility we take as citizens to Transit Agency, and the corresponding unconditionally respect the will of the people. institutions in the provinces, according to their As electoral authorities, we are interested competencies. The coordination of actions is in debating and working effectively in the one of the principles of public administration; security of electoral processes, and this implies it constitutes a service to the common welfare, that even if the regional and Ecuadorian democracies have managed to consolidate structure, de-concentration, decentralization, fundamental rights for the exercise of suffrage, just like efficacy, efficiency, quality, hierarchical participation, planning, transparency and there are still challenges we have to face for evaluation, as established in Article 227 of the the purpose of establishing fair and secure Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador. conditions. In this important context, I would like to refer From the institution, we understand the to the President of the National Electoral integrality of electoral planning by means of Institute of Mexico, Lorenzo Córdova Vianello, such an important space like the Security Desk, during the opening ceremony of the 2015 Inter- in order to guarantee the fundamental rights of American Course on Elections and Democracy, the citizens and of every actor of the political- with the subject 'Democracy and violence: electoral system. On this matter, we highlight from old to new challenges in Latin America'. the importance of an effective coordination Precisely, he alluded to how throughout between entities and branches of the the time, and depending on the contexts, government that, from their own competencies legislators, authorities and electoral experts and attributions, contributed to the integral security in every phase of the process: pre- and priorities in the democratic domains. He electoral, electoral and post-electoral. This traversedhave modified an interesting their main path, preoccupations because, at the included the security in the transportation and beginning, the weaknesses of the still emerging custody of the electoral package and technical democracies, and the incipient electoral kit, as well as the custody and security they competition, were related to authoritarian provided to the Centers for Processing of regressions, and even to the processes of Results and the Electoral Precincts.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 17 We considered that it was fundamental to have The actions we have promoted contribute to a contingency plan in every stage, considering the decision of the Ecuadorian people, since levels in risk management that allow us to the basis of the elections was an absolutely make decisions at a decentralized level in the technical and transparent process, essential electoral stage, which allowed us, together with requirement to keep up with the quality of society and other entities, to optimally respond, democracy Ecuador demands. given the case, to natural disasters, considering the expertise of the National Secretary of Risk Management. In this context, we underline the work done in the Ecuadorian provinces affected Juan Pablo Pozo Bahamonde by the earthquake of April 16, 2016, since they Chairman of the National Electoral did not have one single delay in the planning of Council, Ecuador the General Elections 2017.

18 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 fiji Fijian Elections Office

Enabling Overseas Voters' Registration and Awareness

Election, 2,219 postal ballot satchels had electronic voter registration platform been received by DHL, who were engaged to Twherehe Fijian any Elections Fiji citizen Office above [FEO] the has age an of facilitate the courier of postal ballots through a 18 may can be registered to vote, provided they competitive tender process. are not serving a sentence of imprisonment of Voter Registration in Pacific Island 12 months or longer imposed by a court in Fiji Countries: or by a court of another country, and/ or under a law in force in Fiji, declared to have a mental Following the conclusion of the 2014 General disorder, as per the constitutional requirement. Election, there were concerns raised about the lack of voter registration done in neighbouring registration of Fijians living overseas, provided the period of March to May, a successful theyThe constitution still hold a valid specifically Fijian passport. permits the registrationislands in the drive Pacific, was and carried in 2017, out infrom 9 islands Overseas Voter Registration for 2014 in which 594 voters were registered. Countries General Election: visited included Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon In 2013, the FEO conducted registration of Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Cook Islands. voters overseas and by the 2014 General Election, they had conducted registration in Overseas Voter Registration for 2018 over 10 countries over a period of 9 months. General Election: Teams were sent directly to these countries to To streamline the registration process, facilitate the registration. and to avoid any confusion and additional In terms of statistics for the 2014 General expenses, the Overseas Voter Registration

Overseas Voter Registration in 2014 in Santa Rosa, California, USA Election, there were 591,101 voters out of Drive for the 2018 General Election, will be which 5,508 Fijians from overseas were conducted around the Fijian Independence Day registered. Anyone registered overseas could celebrations all over the world where there are only apply and vote by post. Of those that Fiji Embassies and Consulates. This includes applied for postal voting for the 2014 General 9 countries, namely Australia, New Zealand,

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 19 fiji Fijian Elections Office

United States of America, Hawaii, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Marshall Islands. A comprehensive schedule for the Overseas Voter registration drive has been compiled and awareness has been spread by the respective Fiji Embassies and Consulates.

documentsThe FEO has required clarified for that the a Fijianregistration Passport of or a Certificate of Citizenship are the mandatory FEO provides during the Overseas Voter Registrationfirst time voters. Drive Some include of the new services registrations, that updating of voter details and replacement of the voter cards with the VoterCard 2.0 as well as awareness on postal voting for the 2018 Screenshot of FEO Facebook Post on Overseas Voter General Election. Registration Partnership with other key Conclusion: stakeholders: Fiji has a national airline, Fiji Airways, and conjunction with the Fijian Embassies and High majority of the incoming and outgoing visitors CommissionsThe Fijian Elections all over Office the world works to in facilitate from Fiji and Fiji citizens use Fiji Airways. To registrations and this creates a smooth access Fijians on this plane and keeping in machinery for accessing Fijians where there mind that most of these people are those that is massive population. At the time of election, may be eligible to register, Fijian Elections Fijians who have registered overseas apply for a postal vote and receive a ballot at their postal airline magazine and placed an ad informing address. votersOffice enteredabout the into voter an agreement registration with process. the

World Map Showing Countries where voters have been registered for 2018 General Election Fiji Airways magazine open with the back cover showing This magazine is accessible to every passenger Natasha Verma in the plane and is available for the passengers International Relations Officer to take away. These strategies have been Fiji very useful to facilitate the information to be accessed by the Fijians, as well as the Fijian

Elections Office facebook channels. Arin Kumar Public Relations Officer Fiji

20 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 INDIA Election Commission of India

Every Indian Vote Counts: The Online Survey for the Overseas Indians

ndia’s overseas citizens have emerged as A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is a citizen of an valuable strategic asset for the country India who holds an Indian passport and has Iin the last few decades. Acknowledging temporarily emigrated to another country for the major role played by them in nation- six months or more for employment, residence, building, the Indian Parliament passed the education or any other purpose. There are Representation of People (Amendment) Bill in approximately around 13 million NRIs who 2010 to also extend voting rights to the NRIs. They are eligible to be registered as a voter in (a) highly skilled professionals, workers the constituency in their place of residence in may broadly be classified as follows: and students with tertiary and higher India as mentioned in their passport. Overseas electors are required to vote in person at to developed countries, particularly the polling station on production of their toeducational the USA, UK, qualifications Canada, Australia migrating and original passport. Earlier, NRIs were not able New Zealand – which boomed with the to participate in election process due to the emigration of IT professionals in the then prevailing law which required that only a 1990s. citizen ordinarily resident within the territorial limits of a constituency in the country is eligible (b) unskilled and semi-skilled workers going to be registered as voter in that constituency. mostly to the Gulf countries and Malaysia, following the oil boom in the Gulf The Election Commission of India has made countries. pioneering efforts at deepening Indian democracy in the recent past. Through its novel So far, registration and voting by Non Resident Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Indians (NRIs) has remained extremely limited. Participation (SVEEP hereafter) initiative, the The Survey Commission has reached out to a vast section of It is in this context that the citizens and registered voters, ECI decided to conduct educating an online survey among them about overseas Indian citizens, India’s electoral in collaboration with the process to Tata Institute of Social enhance their Sciences, Mumbai primarily awareness and to identify the gaps in participation in their awareness about elections. One India’s electoral process, of the major understand their political focus areas of the participation and to programme is the empirically capture their vast participatory voting preferences. The objectives of the survey India’s overseas were as follows: electorsdeficit among in Indian elections.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 21 INDIA Election Commission of India

Reaching out to NRIs for Online Survey & Competition

22 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 INDIA Election Commission of India

1) Assess the awareness levels among India’s the participant. At the end of every fortnight, overseas electors about registration and voting in India. Honour” by the ECI. the winner was awarded with a “Certificate of 2) Examine the gaps in awareness, Upload a Selfie motivation and participation of India’s Under the India United section of the website, overseas electors in elections in India. participants were encouraged to upload their 3) Gauge the opinions and preferences of India’s overseas electors on the various ‘Every Indian Vote Counts’. selfies with a caption based on the theme options of casting their vote from abroad. To attract respondents, a competition along with prizes was introduced. The competition was also expected to crowd source creative ideas from overseas Indians on the theme of electoral participation, so that the information could further be used for awareness campaigns. Entries to the competition were accepted under six broad categories. Since the online competition aimed to engage the vast and diverse population of overseas Indians, a targeted approach was adopted, keeping in mind the demographic variations across countries and regions. The Website ECI launched www.everyindianvotecounts.in to facilitate the online survey and competition. A comprehensive design was sought to connect with the overseas Indians which was developed in one and a half month. An ethnographic approach was core to the website design development process that included in house workshops, meetings and user preference surveys to develop a language for the website. Community Action The Competition The Community Action aimed at spreading the campaign by encouraging participants to The online competition was conducted to invite upload group photograph creative ideas from overseas Indians on the theme of ‘Every Indian Vote Counts’. It aimed Refer a friend to engage the vast and diverse population Invite a friend to take the survey earned the of overseas Indians by accepting original respondents democracy points and recognition compositions under six broad categories. on the portal as well as ECI’s facebook page Slogans Songs Share on Social Media • along with a certificate. Posters Share hashtag (#) on facebook and Twitter • Photographs to spread the message and get more overseas • Indians to take the survey • Original Essays The Period of Campaign • Short films The website was launched on the October 20, •To expand reach of the online survey and enhance participation, various activities 2016 and the survey was conducted between were undertaken. Each activity gave the November 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. opportunity of earning ‘Democracy Points’ to A total of 2,649 respondents completed the

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 23 INDIA Election Commission of India

survey between that time period. Since the of January, the total number of responses waswebsite 2,973 was (out active of which even in2,165 the firstor 73% few were weeks eligible). Many participants made use of the 'Contact Us' platform to clarify their queries on electoral procedure. Some extended their hand to volunteer in this initiative while others expressed their gratitude and shared their suggestions and good wishes. The Findings Many participants enthusiastically sent their entry in more than one category. More than 150 uploaded old photographs of their time in Secondly, the rates of registration as overseas selfies were uploaded. Some of the participants India and others had uploaded pictures from electors are low (17 percent). An overwhelming their current country of residence. Indians proportion of overseas electors (89 percent) spread across the globe expressed their love who wanted to vote at some point admitted to for the county through patriotic captions. The not being able to do so primarily because they participants explicitly or implicitly welcomed were not present in India at the time of voting. entries such as ‘Waiting since long to be a The requirement of being physically present in partthe initiative of electoral and process’ significance and ‘Gulof voting sa gulistan, with their respective constituencies at the time of hamara pyara hindustan’. election has emerged as the greatest barrier to their electoral participation. Three major findings of the survey were as follows: Thirdly, there’s a gap between knowledge/ There is only a very small fraction of overseas attitude and practice. While the respondents electors (3 percent) that is well-informed report participating in online activities and about all aspects of the registration process. consuming their news online (via social media) While most are aware about the minimum age they were hesitant to complete the online of registration to be a voter, a relatively large registration form meant for overseas electors section of India’s passport holding diaspora when prompted to do so. Intriguingly, it was respondents who were more knowledgeable about electoral procedures who were least likely to act on information when prime to do so. While greater research is needed to understand this paradoxical behaviour, this does seem to suggest that an online campaign

order for it to be truly effective. must be complemented with offline activities in

the action plan for designing the outreach The findings are being utilised to chalk out programme for the overseas Indians to engage them with the Indian electoral process. remains largely unaware about the correct enrollment form meant for overseas electors and the eligibility criteria for becoming an Padma Angmo Overseas Indian elector. Director Election Commission of India

24 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 iraq Independent High Electoral Commission

Out of Country Voting (OCV)

he evolution of the role of the Switzerland, and other Arabian countries such government in the international society as Algeria, Tunisia, and Lebanon have provided Thas turned to what looks like a universal for OCV in different ways. These countries have village with the revolution in communications experiences in OCV in different ways. and information technology. ICT enables an Perhaps what counts in the favour of the Iraqi irrespective of their location. Thisefficient means communication fast communication between humans wherever they are in a short time, this keeps the immigrants aware of the daily events in their countries step by step and thus contributes in settling the challenges of citizenship of immigrants despite the long distances and the different environment they live in. In the light of these facts, participation of immigrants in the electoral process guarantees a big chance in the lives of Iraqis living abroad to continue in democratic experience is that it applied the practicing their rights as citizens in an active program for the Iraqi immigrants’ participation and continuous way without any disturbance in care of their country affairs and establishing Iraq after the fall of the dictator regime that is their participation in the democratic life. This thein the election first democratic, to national freeassembly electoral in 2005. process With in helps in giving a good impression about the the assistance of International organization culture and civilization of the motherland and on migration, the Independent High Electoral secure the connection between the motherland Commission in Iraq (IHEC) applied the program and the host country and this contributes of OCV by depending on its experiences in in the development of the political, cultural, Parliament and Council Elections 2005 then it social, and economical relations between the held its second elections in 2010 . two countries. It enables them to vote as an electoral entity and in contact with a different Depending on the principle that the people participants. This helps in strengthening the are the source of authority, they practice it Republic of Iraq both, in the elections and in through the constitutional institutions which the democratic process in general. make the process of ensuring the participation by large segments of citizens (voters) in the The democratic states make sure that their polling process. This is an essential necessity citizens abroad, away from their motherland, in any free and fair electoral system as for have due chance for participation in polling and its importance in leading the process of in different ways to guarantee their rights of democratic transformation towards more participation in the general life. The application legitimacy and credibility based on the election of this process came after a long time with results for Iraq. The right to participate in transformations in the understanding of the public life is guaranteed under Article No.5 of participation in elections and how to make it Iraqi constitution which states as follows: 'The applicable. Many of the countries in the world law is sovereign. The people are the source such as The United States of America, United of authority and legitimacy, which they shall Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Australia , Belgium, exercise in a direct, general, secret ballot and Canada, Turkey, Denmark, Sweden , Spain, through their constitutional institutions.' France , Italy, Japan, Netherland , Norway,

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 25 iraq

Amended Elections Law No.16 of 2005 of

Iraqi citizens outside of Iraq to vote for their representationIraqi parliament in has the confirmed Parliament. the right of As well as, the provisions of the United

Declaration of Human Rights in Article No.21 andNations other charters, related specificallyUN Treaties the support Universal the Iraqi Constitution in giving this right to citizens without depriving them of any of their personal First: The legal basis rights where Article 44 stipulates as below: Election's law is the legal basis for the 1. Each Iraqi has freedom of movement, implementation of elections, as well as the travel, and residence inside and outside regulations and procedures set up by IHEC Iraq. (Board of Commissioners) which earn their 2. No Iraqi may be exiled, displaced, or legal power to manage and implement deprived from returning to the homeland. elections, according to IHEC's law No.11 of The most important of these rights is their 2007 which states in Article No.2: participation in the general voting to freely 1. 'Promulgate rules and adopted principles express their will to participate in running the for federal, regional and local elections affairs of the country through the selection of and referenda throughout Iraq to ensure their representatives. their implementation in a just and According to Article No. 46 of the Iraqi transparent manner'; and constitution, which states that: 'Restricting 2. Article No.4: 8 'Set regulations and or limiting the practice of any of the rights instructions preserving fair electoral or liberties stipulated in this Constitution is process'. prohibited, except by a law or on the basis of a In addition to that the OCV of the Iraqi law, and insofar as that limitation or restriction Parliament Council Elections, 2014 as an does not violate the essence of the right or additional new experience that distinguished freedom'. by a lot of standards , applications , and Thus, the geographic dimension cannot play connotation that are managed by IHEC through any negative role for taking away the right from the unit of administrating of OCV related to the those who are away from their hometown. Hence, the voting right has become a right in issuing the electoral law No. (45) amended CEO (Chief Electoral Office). Despite the delay for all residents and expatriates of citizens. in the year 2013 , and the new complication According to the above and the Election law, added to the electoral law is the condition that a voter should vote to an instant governorate IHEC organized the out of country vote (OCV) in addition to the open list on the contrary of that took place on March, 5-6-7, 2010 in the previous electoral processes held outside sixteen countries, namely Syria, Jordon, Egypt, Iraq , but after the issuance of the mentioned UAE, Iran, Sweden, Austria, Turkey, Holland, law, the Board of Commissioners issues a Denmark, USA, Canada, Britain, Australia, decision No. (149) on 17/11/2013 in which Germany and Lebanon. IHEC also created the constituency of IHEC was assigned to systems and procedures and provided staff administrate the elections of the Council of trained in all aspects of electoral process, as Representatives, 2014 outside Iraq. well as prepared basic materials for facilitating the voting process in order to allow the opportunity to Iraqi voters residing abroad to participate in elections and to vote freely and Safaa E. Jasim transparently depending on legal norms and Commissioner Independent High Election Commission and the short time for preparation to hold OCV. Iraq international standards, despite the difficulties

26 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 nepal Election Commission, Nepal

Enabling Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Uniformed Services Voters

lections are essential step of any or Consulate that has jurisdiction over the democratic system to give people the voter. Disadvantages of the postal voting Erights and access to a process where are delay in arriving ballots for counting the country is ruled by the people. It gives of the votes and lack of assurance that the them power to choose their representatives registered overseas voter is in fact , the who decide for them. Recent developments person who cast his vote by mail. has seen in participatory democracies, where Besides the above two fax voting, proxy voting citizens want to exercise their voting rights and email voting methods are also practiced regardless of their physical location or reason by some countries. New Zealand and USA to be absent from their domicile on their practiced fax voting and proxy voting has been election day. Respecting the voting rights of the practiced by UK. citizens, overseas voting has been conducted in 115 countries of the world that includes 28 Conditions and restrictions to the citizens in Africa, 16 in America, 41 in Europe, 10 in Oceania and 20 in Asia. Afghanistan, Bhutan countries according to their national policies for overseas voting have been defined by the and Maldives have practiced overseas voting and laws. The conditions and restrictions might into the SAARC region. be in terms of the deadline for the receipt of the ballot and the eligibility of the voters residing Though overseas voting enables all the votes abroad. irrespective of their physical presence to their country to exercise their voting rights, it is Among the 14 million voters in Nepal, about 3 million are residing abroad for work, study or overseas voting. The most common practices of other purposes that includes the large number overseasequally difficult voting areand i) expensive voting in toperson conduct and ii) of workers in Middle East countries. Some of postal voting. the Nepali voters among them have registered in voter roll and some of them might have not. Voting in person i) In person voting: Moreover they are spread approximately in requires a personal appearance by the more than 100 countries across the world. voter at a designated polling station Nepalis who are migrated in search of job are established by the country of which the either documented or undocumented and it is voter is a citizen in the foreign country, where he/she is living. The polling place in voter registration and overseas voting. is often in an Embassy or Consulate or difficult to include the undocumented workers sometimes in rented halls. In person In overseas, the Nepali Embassies are the voting helps to identify the voter and there places where election can be conducted. is an assurance that the ballot was actually However the number of Nepali Embassies/ cast by the voter him/herself. Consulates is limited to 36 and the Nepalis are spread in many other countries. It is Postal Voting refers to the ii) Postal Voting: challenging to manage access of elections to casting of votes by mail, either directly to such a population. the appropriate electoral authority of the voter's electoral district of his/her country With the recent political developments for of origin or to his/her country's Embassy participatory and inclusive democracy in Nepal, Election Commission of Nepal has also adopted

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 27 nepal Election Commission, Nepal

the policy of including all the eligible voters in conducting elections within the premises of electoral process. This is one of the challenging the Embassies. The study team recommended tasks for the Commission to provide the commencing the voter registration process opportunity to more than 3 million Nepalis from 3 countries of the Middle East as a pilot staying overseas to exercise their voting rights. program and form a permanent committee responsible for overseas voting with the A committee was formed by the Election purpose of expanding all over the world phase Commission in April 2012 led by the wise. As recommended by the team, legal Secretary of Election Commission including provision, institutional arrangement, human other concerned ministries. This Committee resource management, use of technology and recommended for implementation of overseas allocation of adequate fund are primary things to be arranged to achieve the goal. providing the citizens to exercise their voting rights.voting in a way that is financially feasible and In the absence of legal provision for absentee/ overseas voting, this task is not possible for Similarly, a study team visited Thailand led by the moment. Another major challenge is to the Election Commissioner in August 2012, with the purpose of learning best practices Commission is working towards positive of Thailand. As report mentions, Thailand directionfind appropriate in conducting technology. overseas However, voting Election in arranged to register in voter roll and cast future elections. votes from 91 places as compared to 66 in 2011. The study team concluded that Election Service Voters including uniformed Commission of Nepal can begin piloting one Services Voters country where maximum Nepalis are staying, For successful elections management in Nepal, after arranging the proper technology. government employees including civil service Another study team led by the Election employees, teachers and the security agencies Commissioner completed study visit of some play a key role from the very beginning of the election process. The government explore the ways of voter registration and employees specially the public school teachers votingfive Middle from Eastern abroad wherecountries large in no.order of Nepalisto are assigned for voter registration to voter are residing. During the visit, the team held education and for the conduction of election meetings with the concerned authorities of as well. Civil service employees are assigned for conduction of election and the security held interactions with Nepali communities personnel are also deployed during the election andthose met countries the foreign and ambassadorsNepal Embassy who officials, are period. conducting overseas voting for their citizens During the constituent Assembly Elections held in those countries. From the experience of in 2008 and 2012, the Election Commission of the ambassadors based in those countries in Nepal provisioned for service voters including conducting overseas voting helped to know Uniformed Service Voters to cast votes for the proportional representation seats from the process. Nepalis residing abroad found to be polling stations where they were deputed. veryabout much the difficulties enthusiastic to beto befaced registered during votingand exercise their voting right from abroad. Also the host Governments had no objection in Election Commission, Nepal

28 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 sri lanka Election Commission of Sri Lanka

Some Perspectives on Out Of Country Voting for Sri Lankans

he advent of universal suffrage in Sri Lanka, some 90 years ago, has steered diasporas who are eager to play their role in Tthe country’s socio-political paradigm theSubsequently, decision-making a significant process number in their of respective migrant in a new and positive direction. However, close motherlands, are emerging in developed examination of Sri Lanka’s representative countries. For example, many Sinhalese people democracy highlights a distinct area for can be seen working in countries like Australia improvement: the lack of facilitation of migrant and many Sri Lankan Tamils are employed workers to exercise their voting right. and reside in Canada. The majorities of these migrant workers are either under a temporary Approximately 1.5 million Sri Lankan citizens visa or have obtained dual citizenship. abroad are deprived the opportunity to cast The National Migration Policy that was adopted in 2008 in alignment with relevant oftheir just vote. about This any is election. a significant number of voters international treaties proposed to ensure who can considerably influence the final result the voting rights of the Sri Lankan migrant Voting Rights of the Sri Lankan workers. However, it must be stated that migrant workers facilitating OCV from the countries to which In total, there are over 1.5 million migrant many people have migrated, is a fairly workers from Sri Lanka, whose votes are expensive endeavor. not counted in every election due to their Out of country voting methods There are a number of methods used to facilitate the out of country voting (OCV) in countries around the world. However, countries looking to implement OCV should consider

method. Following are the main implications of eachthe realities OCV method. of their context while finalising a Return voting: This can be facilitated by the establishment of polling stations at major airports in the country or major land entry points. This aids the expatriates to return to the country where they are employed right after casting their votes at a polling station established at an entry point of their home country. It is apparent that such being away from the country. This could not voting methods can be deployed in a way be regarded as a trivial omission in terms of facilitation of their rights in determining their migrant workers in countries where there’s choice in the political decision making process. considerablythat’s affordable lucrative and beneficial employments only for are the Emerging global trends show that a large available. number of people all over the world are In-person polling stations: This will migrating, both legally and illegally, in search inevitably require the establishment of polling of employment in developed countries.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 29 sri lanka Election Commission of Sri Lanka

stations outside of the Embassy and Consulate Proxy voting: This system employs a proxy premises, in locations where diaspora who resides in one’s home country that’s populations are concentrated. However, the chosen by the registered out of country voter implementation of this system still remains to cast the vote on his or her behalf. Many challenging since such a mobilization requires countries seem to have not placed much faith in inter–governmental negotiations with the host this system and hence such a system might not country to allow the establishment of such be suitable for Sri Lanka. polling stations within their territory. Prior to considering any of the aforementioned Embassy voting: This is similar to in-person methods proposed to conduct out of country polling stations in many ways, but less voting, it is important that the reforms be complex in terms of operationalising. However, brought forth for the existing legal provisions investing time and money on travelling to an related to the electoral process. embassy could deter the diaspora from pro- The way forward actively partaking in voting. Particularly in the middle eastern countries where Sri Lankan OCV can be extremely expensive and it is women are employed as house maids and possible that Sri Lanka cannot yet afford to domestic workers, embassy voting requires a facilitate its implementation. However, if cumbersome process of seeking the approval of corruption can be reduced, any responsible their masters and travelling a long distance to government would be obliged to facilitate OCV. both register and vote. The Sri Lankan Parliament has appointed a Postal voting: With this methodology, ballots select committee to consider the lobbying of are mailed out to registered out-of-country civil society organisations regarding OCV. Their voters and need to be completed and returned topmost responsibility should be to devise by mail for counting. They can be returned to the most appropriate method to be adopted collection points in host countries or directly in the Sri Lankan context. Furthermore, if back to the country. However, there are it is not possible to facilitate OCV to all Sri sensitivities around the security and reliability Lankan migrant workers at once, gradual of involving postal services in the process. implementation should be considered. One of the greatest challenges is to devise a program Internet voting is novella Internet voting: through which the relevant out of country new voting method that addresses many of voters could be made aware of this entire the complexities involved in in-person voting. process. However, the technology available for internet voting is still in its early stages and hence this The unavailability of such a comprehensive system is not recommended to be adopted at program will result in lack of awareness among a national level without proper methods of out of the country voters about the free and fair electoral process and would lead to a chaotic diffusion of votes based on the extremist security and voter identification in place. grounds such as religion, nationalism etc. In this day and age, social media is widely utilised for political lobbying and manipulation of the general public in order to create a level

to build consensus among political parties onplaying their field media in strategiesthe election. as Itwell is important as it is the responsibility of EMBs to alert and formulate policies towards outreach media strategies of its stakeholders.

Manjula Gajanayake National Co-ordinator Cetnre for Monitoring Election Violence

30 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 idea International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Out of Country Voting in a Globalized World: What are the Implications? An Introduction to our Forthcoming Roundtable

he issue of out of country voting The right to cast a vote in democratic elections (OCV) has risen to prominence lately, stand at the core of people’s political rights. Tparticularly in parts of Asia and Latin However, for citizens residing abroad the issue America. In response, the International is less straight forward. Should people that Institute for Democracy and Electoral have made a choice to live in another country Assistance (IDEA) has therefore from early still have voting rights in their home country? 2017 taken preliminary steps to facilitate And if so, should the state be responsibile for discussions among electoral management facilitating their vote from abroad – or should bodies, between those experienced in citizens simply have the option of coming organizing OCV and those that are not. These home to exercise their right? These questions discussions, initially through a roundtable prompted International IDEA to publish its discussion, will facilitate exchanges of practices Handbook entitled, 'Voting from Abroad', in and experiences on OCV, which would be of 2007 and are still relevant today. value to those countries planning on adopting What is 'voting from abroad'? it. It will also provide the opportunity for electoral management bodies (EMBs) to International IDEA’s Handbook on Voting from express and seek solutions to challenges that Abroad (2007: 8) defines OCV as: Procedures they face while implementing OCV. Any EMBs which enable some or all electors of a country interested in participating are welcome to who are temporarily or permanently outside inform us. the country to exercise their voting rights from outside the national territory. Implementing OCV requires careful considerations towards eligibility and voter registration requirements, the types of elections applicable and the voting methods available. Eligibility requirements: Out of country voting eligibility requirements differ across countries. Some countries have opted for a restrictive approach whereby only citizens that

andreside military outside personnel their home (and country their families), in an official are allowedcapacity, to i.e. vote diplomatic from abroad. staff, publicIn other officials countries, there are no restrictions on eligibility, which means that also other categories of citizens International migration stock, 2015 abroad, such as labour migrants, refugees, Source: UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs students and others, are in principle allowed

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 31 idea International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

to vote. In between these restrictive and more continue perceiving themselves as 'belonging generous or open approach, there are a number there'. of different arrangements. Supporters also point to the economic impact Notably, holding citizenship is a minimum requirement for obtaining voting rights. If estimated to approach USD 600 billion globally voter apply for and receive citizenship in their andof migration. more than In 70 2015, percent remittances was received flows in were new country of residence and if this country developing countries. In other words, citizens prohibits double citizenship, the voter will, residing abroad are contributing to economic through loosing home country citizenship, also development at home and in some countries loose the right to vote in their home country. remittances make up a considerable share of the national GDP. In Tajikistan and Nepal, for Voter registration requirements: More often example, remittances account for 42 and 29 than not, citizens abroad who are eligible to take percent of the GDP. part in an election in their home country are required to register to vote. Registration process Lastly, OCV can also be seen as 'high politics'. requirements – linked to registration modality The main example is when Turkey introduced (in particular in-person versus distance OCV, it was not only 'a purely domestic political registration), location and period of registration matter, but a part of Turkey’s increasingly contentious foreign relations.' requirements – are likely to impact on the level However, it has also been argued that OCV ofas abroadwell as voteridentification access. documentation Types of elections: OCV may be applicable to home country politics and development. different types of elections. The most common Generally,gives citizens citizens abroad abroad, undue particularly influence over those practice is to allow abroad voters to take part residing abroad for a longer period of time, in national elections, i.e. in presidential and/ are not directly affected by political decisions or parliamentary elections. Some countries concerning a number of policy areas, such as also allow citizens to take part in sub-national road constructions, rural development and (regional/provincial/local) and supra-national education to name a few. (regional parliamentary bodies, e.g. EU and Moreover, citizens abroad may not pay taxes Andean parliaments) elections. and thus, do not contribute directly to the Voting methods: The four main methods for state coffer. This argument was made by the OCV available are personal voting, postal voting, Irish Government in the 1990s when debating proxy voting and e-voting. These methods differ overseas voting rights, with the slogan 'no substantially when it comes to preparations, representation without taxation'. logistics and administration. When choosing a The size of diaspora populations has also method, there is tension between the degree featured the debate. In countries with large of control or supervision that the institution proportions of citizens abroad, it has been responsible can exercise and the degree of argued that OCV would allow for a situation by voter access. For example, personal voting, which citizens abroad to 'swing the vote' and e.g. in diplomatic missions or similar facilities thus determine political and developmental trajectories in their home country. In countries is likely to enhance control, whereas distance where elections on the 'main land' are very votingestablished through for proxy,the specific the post purpose or the of internet the vote, is close, even a small number of abroad votes likely to increase access. can tilt the results. In 2016, several reports Why allow vote from abroad – or why not? discussed how the estimated 8 million Americans abroad could potentially tilt the Supporters of OCV argue that it is a basic US presidential elections and an anti-Trump human right of political participation. Through activist group produced a software tool to participating in elections, citizens abroad have simplify abroad registration processes assuming an opportunity to, through political means, Americans abroad were largely Democrats. contribute to development at home which Whilst noting that the number of abroad might impact their choices regarding where to voters can be large, a Council of Europe report live. Citizens living abroad often maintain close dismissed the 'public fear of a hypothetical relationships with their home country and

32 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 idea International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance mass invasion of electors from abroad' and 26 countries open sub-national elections up for urged countries to take on a more 'realistic participation outside the borders. In addition, perspective' in making decisions on OCV. 54 countries and territories allow citizens overseas to take part in referenda. capacity may also impact on a country’s The voting methods offered differ considerably decisionA country’s to allowadministrative voters abroad and financialto participate across countries. Personal voting is applied in in elections. Experience shows that OCV is a 103 countries and territories (e.g. Brazil, Egypt, huge administrative task with substantial costs. Finland, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Africa); Notably, turnout among out of country voters postal in 51 (e.g. Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, remain low, which brings value-for-money El Salvador, Germany, Malaysia and Papua considerations into play: some countries simply New Guinea); proxy voting in 18 (e.g. Belize, cannot afford going in this direction. Mauritius, Vanuatu); and e-voting in 8 (e.g. Armenia). At the end of the day, the decision to allow OCV often comes down to politics. It is the Many countries allow voters abroad to choose legislators in the parliament that determine from multiple voting methods. In Australia, whether or not citizens residing outside their Denmark, Japan, Latvia and Thailand, citizens country’s borders will have the right to cast abroad can choose between personal and postal their vote. Decisions on whether or not to allow voting. A combination of postal and proxy voting is applied in France, India, Netherlands and the of political majorities and their perception of UK. In Estonia and Switzerland, abroad voters theOCV political may be choiceinfluenced of those by the living self-interests abroad. It is can vote in person, by post or cast their ballot often assumed that those moving abroad do so via the Internet. In Panama, citizens outside must vote either by post or via the Internet. In or lack of economic opportunities at home. In Poland and New Zealand, voters can even cast otherbecause words, they theyare dissatisfied are perceived with to politicalbe inclined life to their vote by fax. vote against the government of the day, who is In Asia, 29 countries and territories – or 67 responsible for the current political and socio- percent of those that organize elections – allow economic conditions. citizens abroad to vote in legislative elections Global outlook (see Annex A). Of these, in 19 of the 22 presidential systems (86%) in which presidents International IDEA’s Voting from Abroad are popularly elected, citizens abroad can Database explores legal provisions for OCV in participate. Looking at voting methods in use, 216 countries and territories around the world. 25 countries apply personal voting, 8 countries Altogether 114 countries and 77 territories postal voting, 3 countries e-voting and 1 country allow people abroad to take part in legislative allows voters to vote by proxy. and/or presidential elections, respectively. Only

Voting from abroad around the globe

The five countries that do not organize elections are: Brunei, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Countries/territories where abroad voters are not allowed to take part in any elections includes Afghanistan, Cambodia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nepal, Northern Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Occupied Territories, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 33 idea International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Source: International IDEA

In-person voting is the method most frequently enfranchisement of citizens abroad and OCV applied method in Asia: in 22 countries and rights. territories, there is only one voting method The jury is still out on whether or not in place and in 19 of these voters must cast enfranchisement of citizens abroad is the best their vote in person. Examples include Israel, way to solve their under-representation citing Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, South Korea the aforementioned problems. Countries that and Turkey. In seven cases, out of country voters can choose between two different and turnout challenges, which may be too voting methods. Looking at the countries that muchallow OCVto bear still for face countries administrative, that aspire financial to go organize elections, 13 do not allow for OCV in down the same route. Through exchanges and any type of election. discussions that we shall promote together, Why discuss OCV now? challenges may be mapped out and solutions thereof may be explored. We look forward to Several decades of globalization have seeing you at the Roundtable Discussion. transformed society into a ‘global one’. People not only migrate, but they migrate more often – moving from country to country until they decide to settle in a country or move back to their original Mette Bakken International IDEA country. Moreover, communication barriers have fallen with the rise of the internet and mobile communications. All of these factors have prompted debates regarding the

Adhy Aman International IDEA

34 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Out-of-Country Voting – A brief Overview for EMBs

any countries around the world have a large diaspora that wants to be Mincluded in the electoral process of their home country. Out-of-country voting (OCV) is an option every democracy should consider when trying to maximize citizen participation in the electoral process. However, there are many risks and complexities, such as logistical challenges that should be considered beforepolitical countries influence, move cost, forward and administrative with an OCV and system. While inclusive participation is an international standard for elections, Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) need to pay special consideration to boundary delimitation issues and establishing valid and democratic extra-territorial voting areas. The decision to enfranchise diaspora communities is layered with potential political agendas and should be made with the input of all electoral failing to conduct quality in-country elections. stakeholders including members of diasporas, In these situations,EMBs should coordinate in-country voters, and the EMB implementing operations across country lines through the election. building cooperative partnerships with foreign While implementing OCV systems, EMBs face a number of complex operational challenges, servants, and national communities. Cross- bordernational coordination institutions, canelection minimize officials, operational civil Experts explain that OCV systems typically cost challenges that are common to OCV systems betweenwhich often 5 to include 10 times a massive more than financial in-country burden. like issues of security, materials transport, and voting operations. By these estimates, some a lack of administrative and electoral facilities, countries may not be able to even consider or poor communications and informational an OCV system based on cost alone. However, awareness messages. costs can be reduced based on the number of Maintaining equal access for all voters voters and the extent and scope required for underpins all election operations, especially election operations. with OCV systems, as it is quite challenging to Another operational challenge for EMBs identify diaspora voters’ locations and polling is the location of diaspora communities. station locations given the lack of mobility of Most diasporas span more than one country some voters. Importantly, equal access should requiring an EMB to coordinate complex also be considered in the context of political logistics, often without directly supervising bias as political preference varies amongst operations. This raises the risk of EMBs diaspora communities. Equal access is also spreading themselves too thin and potentially connected to the decision of voter eligibility

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 35 IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Embassy Voting provides diaspora voters with the eligibility to participate in OCV. Issues the opportunity to vote in embassies and/or ofcriteria. eligibility EMBs link need to a to more be clear complex in defining matter consulates. Similar to the Return Voting system, of proving eligibility and voter registration poorer voters may not be able to travel to for external voters. All of these issues are these locations, and embassies may not have susceptible to perceived political bias. the proper facility and resources to support a Politicians will likely attempt to disenfranchise large number of voters. However, this in-person certain voters by claiming EMBs made biased system does mitigate concerns of fraud. eligibility and logistical decisions. Therefore, it With the Postal Voting approach, ballots are is important that EMBs are clear and concise mailed to registered voters who then post in determining who is eligible to vote and how their ballots back to their home country or to that eligibility is determined. The perception of fraud is of major concern While this system allows for equal access, it in OCV operations. In-person voting alsoan identified presents collection a number areaof problems in host countries. linked to methodologies mitigate fraud whereas postal fraud and implementation. Proper planning and internet systems leave room for security is key to success as ballots need to be mailed breaches. Additionally, OCV systems are early. However, postal delays can negatively affect the counting process and postal ballots not able to implement operations locally. cannot guarantee one’s identity. Furthermore,difficult for EMBs often to OCV manage systems since are staff not are observed by independent observers, which can lead to a lack of transparency and potentially poor operations. Regardless of whether the fraud exists, the lack of transparency can lead to a perception of fraud and undermine the integrity of an election. These operational challenges can be either reduced or potentially exacerbated depending on the type of OCV system used. The Return Voting system is useful for diaspora voters who are able to move across borders easily. Under this system, polling stations are arranged at major air and land entry points to provide easy access to diaspora voters who can return to their home country to vote. This system reduces voter identity fraud, but can likely impede poorer groups of the Recently, Internet Voting has become a real possibility. However, the technology has not travel. been fully developed and remains vulnerable diaspora from voting given the financial cost of to security issues. This approach should only The In-Person Polling Station methodology be considered in countries with advanced involves establishing polling stations in technological and administrative infrastructure locations where diaspora communities exist, that has a secure way to identify each voter. which tend to be near embassy and consulate Without advanced security features, an election grounds. While this option also reduces would be susceptible to fraud and would lack a the likelihood of fraud and allows for more high level of integrity. diaspora voters to participate, it can be very When deciding which OCV system should be will refuse to allow a foreign nation to organize used, EMBs need to not only be transparent votingdifficult on to their operationalise. territory, and, Some if it host is allowed, countries in their decision-making process, but they logistics are costly and complex due to the also need to be realistic about the level of necessary intergovernmental negotiations service they can provide to diaspora voters. required for coordination. It is equally important that EMBs manage

36 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems

voter’s expectations and work to implement an inclusive system that allows for the hearings to allow stakeholders to comment. participation of most, if not all voters. This will an official report and consider holding public An OCV system can provide greater inclusion to help to garner buy-in from stakeholders and lay diaspora communities, but it can also increase the groundwork for electoral integrity. A good practice can be establishing an out- lower electoral integrity. Additionally, the cost of-country voting committee inclusive of civil tothe operationalise risk of fraud and such political a system influence, may prove and to society and diaspora members. This committee needs to be established early to allow burden. Therefore, it is crucial that EMBs members to explore global experiences and to carefullybe too much research of a financial and select and an administrative OCV system in consider all available options. It would also be a transparent way, that can acquire local buy-in and maximize inclusive participation while OCV resources and consult with international minimizing risks. expertsbeneficial to forgain committee a more nuanced members understanding to refer to of each system’s pros and cons. Once an From paper by Peter Erben, Ben Goldsmith and Aysha outcome has been agreed upon, the committee Shujaat available at: http://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/ ifes_ocv_erben_goldsmith_shujat_2012.pdf should circulate their decision in the form of Edited by Melika Atic

'With“With your vote, theyour country vote, is complete' the A graphic country from an OCV guide for Mexico’s 2006 election Source:is IFEScomplete” A graphic from an OCV guide Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 37 for Mexico’s 2006 election Source: IFES

insights

Empowering Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Uniformed Services Voters for Electoral Participation

Introduction As per the normal procedure, electors go to instruments of the concerned countries and their respective polling stations and exercise their right to franchise through a ballot paper framework from the respective EMB’s and an equally efficient operational support or other means such as an electronic voting cooperation from the countries of present machine. However, it may not be possible for some categories of electors to be physically obligation of universal adult suffrage arising residence of such voters to fulfill the general present at the polling station on the date and out of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its subsidiary and complementary as a physical disability, absence on account of instruments. The issues and challenges in time fixed for the poll because of reasons such out of the country voting are complex and forces, diplomatic missions overseas and dimensions different, especially in post business or official duty, service in Defence reasons elsewhere in the country or abroad etc. populations. migration consequent to conflict or other conflict operations to address large migrant The categorization mentioned above may Voter information, awareness and education vary from country to country and there may needs for such voter groups are also different be other groups requiring special attention and have to be tailored according to their depending upon the special needs recognition requirements and facilitation provided by the and the extant legislative regimes in different respective EMB’s to maximize the voter turnout countries. The electoral rights of people falling in this segment. in such groups, as long as they qualify to be electors under the law, remain intact and including technology driven initiatives by the EMB’s endeavor to provide appropriate Significant amount of work has been done different countries besides the International facilities for exercise of electoral rights by expert Institutions such as International IDEA, such electors despite challenges with a view to IFES, UNDP etc in this area. demonstrating superior degree of democratic inclusion to the effect ‘Every Vote matters’ and This paper intends to visit the experience ‘No Voter be Left Behind.’ of some of the countries in empowering the ‘Overseas Electors and Service Voters including Overseas Electors and Service Voters including uniformed Services Voters’ for maximizing uniformed Services Voters as a distinct their electoral participation with a view to category of voters, need a larger support of provide one stop knowledge resource on a different nature through legislative, legal initiatives to them.

38 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

Australia: Comprehensive information and Guidance for Overseas Voters and Defence Services Voters

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Not Enrolled is an independent statutory authority If a person is not enrolled and has been responsible for the conduct of federal overseas for less than three years, he is elections and is committed to delivering entitled to enroll provided he is an Australian trusted, reliable, high quality and high citizen above 18 years or is intending to integrity electoral processes and services to return to Australia within six years. A person the country. cannot enroll for an overseas address; instead he must enroll in the respective electorate he AEC provides precise, accurate and timely is entitled to before leaving Australia. All the guidance to all categories of overseas voters guidance and information has been provided to facilitate registration, vote process in a on AEC website as also the facility for online stepwise manner through its website. registration besides the vote process in such The overseas voters may fall under different cases. categories. Eligible voters who are living, working or holidaying overseas can vote in Attaining 18 years while living overseas person at an overseas voting centre or by If a person is registered as an overseas post. The AEC provides postal voting services elector, his children can enroll and vote in to Australian Defence Forces personnel and federal elections if: others serving overseas at the time of the • never been enrolled, and federal election. Information on how to vote • Are Australian citizens. while overseas, including a full list of overseas • Are 18 years or older and had not turned voting centers is available at www.aec.gov.au/ 18 before leaving Australia. overseas • Intend to return within 6 years of Going overseas for a short period attaining the age of 18. An elector can enroll and vote if he is going Online enrollment facilities are provided by overseas for a short period of time and plans to return to his place in Australia. He has to Voting facilities are provided by AEC. Details mayAEC throughaccessed filling at the up link the requisite forms. already registered. If not already enrolled, and thefill up elector an online is already overseas abroad, notification he is advised form toif http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/ overseas/index.html outside Australia. The AEC online guidance fill up ‘Enroll to vote for Federal Elections from Voter information/Voter Education; AEC’s Guidance for Voter Information information and guidance. ‘How to vote while overseas’ provides detailed The AEC provides stepwise guidelines on Electors Living or Working Overseas entire voting process through its website link: Already Enrolled http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/ If a person is already enrolled, he can register for comprehensive information, educating as an overseas elector in case the person and guiding the concerned categories of is intending to return to Australia within six years. Such an elector can apply up to link referred to above clarify all guidelines, voters. Background Resources, FAQ’s at AEC three months before or within three years instructions and doubts of the voters. AEC also after such a person leaves Australia. AEC, provides on its website email address, helpline while providing the above information on its numbers including global helpline numbers website also facilitates online registration for online enrollment and assisting the vote process. The application also provides an process. Guidance and Information on some of option to such an elector to become a general postal voter to receive a postal ballot on theyy relevantFind Election FAQ’s isSchedule as below: announcement of elections. If a voter subscribes to the AEC mailing list, he

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 39 insights

will receive an email on the schedule of next yy Overseas federal election or referendum. For federal elections, electors who are overseas can vote in person at an overseas yy Checking up enrolment voting centre (mostly Australian Embassies or A voter can check up his enrolment online to Missions) or by post. ascertain his current enrolment details and the location for which he is enrolled to vote. AEC Guide: ‘How to Vote by Mail’ AEC’s voter education Easy English Guide yy Find out the correct electorate ‘How to Vote by Mail’ provides holistic Provides information regarding the electorate where a voter lives in. Find ‘my electorate’ simple and lucid manner with well done helps in this through search by suburb or upand illustrations step-wise guidance and pictures. to mail A votervoters has in to postcode.

yy Assisting an overseas voter apply for a postal vote by filling up a form. If a voter is not able to vote while overseas, an application on paper can be sent to the This application can be filled up online or he can complete and submit an ‘Overseas entire sequence of steps leading to successful designated office for further processing. The with an option to be removed from the mail voting besides practice on voting is electoralNotification roll Form’. while Thishe is would overseas. provide him explained in the guide to help a voter in the form of simple user friendly questions and yy Removal of name from Electoral Roll answers. Details of the guide may accessed at If a voter chooses to be removed from the the link: http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/ electoral roll, he will need to enroll again to be able to vote in any future federal elections. Publications/easy-english/files/vote-mail- yy Overseas Notification form easy-eng.pdfEnrolment as a Postal Voter While a many categories of voters can be provides him with the option to be removed registered as postal voters, embers of the fromRegistration the electoral as an rolloverseas while elector. he is overseas. This form Defence Forces, or a Defence civilian serving outside Australia; an Australian Federal yy Early Vote An elector may vote early in person or by outside Australia; and a voter registered as post if on the Election Day he is outside anPolice overseas Officer elector or staff are member all entitled serving and they the electorate where he is enrolled to vote, can register to become a postal voter. Once travelling or unable to leave his workplace to registered as a Postal Voter, such electors vote. automatically receive their ballot paper in mail yy Early vote in person after an election has been announced. Such An elector may vote at an early voting center voters need not apply for future elections. Procedure to become a General Postal leading to election. voter or any AEC divisional office in the weeks yy Early Vote by Post A person, otherwise eligible to be a voter, An elector may apply for a postal vote online form applicable in his state or territory from has to firstly select a general postal voter election is announced. or fill up a postal application form, after an eligible to be a general postal voter. One has to yy Antarctic Voters completethe given list.the form,Then print,check signup if and a person return is the Voters working in Antarctica or in transit on form to the AEC. If a voter is not registered at Election Day are eligible to register and vote the current address, he will have to register to as Antarctic voters. vote or change his address. Change in address or name calls for updating of these details in y n, t w y Fly-i Fly ou orkers the electoral roll. When a person is registered Early voting is made available at selected to be a general postal voter, he can also apply airport departure terminals in Western to receive ballot papers for state and local Australia and postal voting services are also government elections. See Page 46 for References made available to fly-in and fly-out voters. 40 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

Election Canada: Overseas Electors and Service Voters including uniformed Services Voters

Elections Canada Online provides well for that electoral district. designed facilities for Voting by Special Ballot A Special Voting Rules Administrator for voters inter alia falling in the following categories: oversees the administration of the Special Canadian electors temporarily away from • Votingappointed Rules. by the Chief Electoral Officer their electoral districts during the election or referendum, whether in Canada or General principles abroad. To vote under the Special Voting Rules, the • Canadian electors in their electoral electors, other than Canadian Forces electors districts who cannot or do not wish to go must: to an ordinary or advance poll to vote. • register to vote by special ballot no later • Canadian citizens residing outside than 6:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before Canada. polling day; • Canadian Forces electors (including • in the case of an election, obtain the civilians employed as teachers or names of the candidates in his electoral administrative support staff in Canadian district (in an election, the elector Forces schools outside the country). completes the special ballot by writing the name of the chosen candidate); in a Voter information/Voter Education; EC’s referendum, each referendum question Guidelines for Voter Information is printed on a separate ballot and the Elections Canada Online provides stepwise elector checks off 'yes' or 'no'); guidelines on entire voting process through in the case of an elector voting by special its website link http://www.elections. • ballot outside the electoral district of his ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir for or her ordinary residence, ensure that comprehensive information, educating and the completed ballot arrives at Elections guiding the concerned voters. Background Canada in Ottawa no later than 6:00 p.m., Resources, FAQ’s at EC online link referred Eastern Time, on polling day; to above clarify all guidelines, instructions and doubts of the voters. EC also provides on • in the case of an elector voting in his or its website email address, helpline numbers her electoral district, ensure that the including global helpline numbers, separate TTY number for deaf or persons with hearing the completed ballot before the close of returning officer for that district receives impairment for assisting the vote process the polls in the electoral district on polling day; Legislative Provisions: Special Voting Rules This method of voting is governed by the Once an elector’s application to vote by special Special Voting Rules under Part 11, Rules 177 ballot is approved, that is the only way one can to 281 of the Canada Elections Act. vote. The elector cannot vote at the ordinary or advance polls. The only exception is that Any elector who cannot or does not wish to Canadian Forces electors may choose to vote vote at a polling station during an election or in person at a civilian polling station, if they referendum may vote using a special ballot. are living in the same electoral district as the With a special ballot, an elector can vote by address shown on their Statement of Ordinary Residence. They can do so only if they have not already voted under the Special Voting Rules. mail or in person at the office of any returning district, inside or outside Canada, he can For further details, consult the backgrounder officer. If the elector is away from his electoral also register to vote with Elections Canada Voting by Special Ballot for Canadian Forces in Ottawa. In all these cases, the elector must Electors. have a civic address for his or her place of ordinary residence in Canada, for electoral Elections Canada draws up the lists of electors purposes. The elector’s vote will be counted registered to vote by special ballot in each

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 41 insights

electoral district, and sends them to the referendum in the electoral district in which the address on their Statement of Ordinary again before polling day. These lists include Residence is located. thereturning surname, officers given before name, the civic advance address polls and and People living with members of the Canadian mailing address of electors who have applied Forces outside Canada are not included in the category of Canadian Forces electors, but may indicate on the list of electors that these vote as Canadians residing outside Canada electorsto vote by have special registered ballot. toThe vote returning by special officers . ballot, to prevent them from voting twice. Registration An elector who votes under the Special Voting The Department of National Defense Rules uses a special ballot voting kit that maintains a permanent register of Canadian includes: Forces electors. When a member enrolls, he completes a Statement of Ordinary Residence • in the case of an election, a blank ballot on that determines the electoral district for which which the elector writes the name of the his vote will be counted. candidate of his choice; and in the case of a referendum, a ballot on which the Manner of voting referendum question is printed; Canadian Forces electors vote by special • an unmarked inner envelope; ballot. During a general election or • an outer envelope identifying the elector referendum, instructions for voting are posted and his or her electoral district, and a at the polling station in each unit and a deputy declaration that the elector must sign and date, stating that his or her name is as materials. Each polling station has a complete shown on the envelope, and that he or she listreturning of candidates. officer is appointed to issue voting has not already voted and will not attempt to vote again in current electoral event; sign the declaration on the outer envelope that • a return envelope; formsTo vote, part the of elector the voting must kit. first The complete declaration and • states that the elector’s name is as shown on the envelope and that he has not already An elector may vote only once at an election. an instruction flyer voted and will not attempt to vote again in the The elector is only entitled to vote for a current electoral event. The elector completes candidate running in his electoral district. the ballot by writing on it the name of one of While the guiding principals have been the candidates in his or her electoral district. discussed above, detailed guidelines are The elector inserts the ballot into the series of provided for each category of voters for follow envelopes as per instructions provided. up process for registration, manner of voting, The elector is responsible for ensuring that procedure for counting and communication Elections Canada in Ottawa receives the ballot of the result. However, the brief on Canadian no later than the prescribed time. Electors Forces is given in the following: may mail the ballots themselves or leave them Canadian Forces Electors Canadian Forces electors are Canadians who by special arrangement. The ballot must will be 18 years of age or older on polling bewith sent the in deputy the envelopes returning provided. officer to A forward ballot day and are members of the regular force received by fax cannot be counted. of the Canadian Forces, or members of the Instead of voting by special ballot, a Canadian reserve force of the Canadian Forces on full- Forces elector who is residing in the electoral time training or service or on active service, district of his address on his Statement of members of the special force of the Canadian Ordinary Residence may vote at the civilian Forces, or a person who is employed outside polling station in that electoral district, Canada by the Canadian Forces as a teacher in, provided that he has not already voted in the or as a member of the administrative support electoral event and continues to reside in that staff for, a Canadian Forces school. They electoral district until polling day. can vote by special ballot in any election or

42 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

New Zealand: Assistance to Overseas Voters

Electoral Commission of New Zealand • He must print 'Elector Overseas - signed by his direction' on the form next to his both for enrollment and voting by overseas signature, or votersprovides including efficient Defence and effective personnel, arrangements their • One can have the form completed by families and persons from diplomatic missions someone else with a Power of Attorney for etc. EC NZ provides information on its website the applicant. In this case one must print for awareness and guidance of the voters 'Elector Overseas - Power of Attorney' falling in this category. next to his signature. Step-wise information is as follows: Voting in a General Election from Overseas Enrollment as an Overseas Voter: General Conditions An overseas New Zealand citizen is eligible to NZ EC provides facilities for overseas voting subject to the following eligibility conditions following conditions: (with exceptions for certain categories such as enroll18 and years vote of fromage or overseas older. if he fulfills the defence personnel, diplomats, trade reps etc): Has lived in New Zealand for more than • A person must be enrolled. one year continuously at some point of • A New Zealand citizen who has visited time and is either: New Zealand within last three years, or ffA New Zealand citizen who has been • A person is a permanent resident of New in New Zealand at any point in the Zealand and has visited New Zealand in past three years, the last 12 months. ffA New Zealand permanent resident Obtaining Ballot Paper who has been in New Zealand at any Voting papers are not automatically sent to the point in the past 12 months. overseas voters. Voters who are overseas will ff Electorate will be the one in which a be able to obtain their voting papers from two person last lived for a month or more. and a half weeks before Election Day in one of ff There are exceptions to these time the following ways: limits for certain people and their • Download their voting papers from this families, such as members of the website New Zealand Defense Forces or • Apply to the Electoral Commission for New Zealand diplomats or trade postal voting papers representatives. • Vote in person at an overseas post The Electoral Act, 1993 provides that New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who Return of the Overseas Ballot Papers are overseas may enroll if they choose to do The Overseas Voters may return their voting so, but this is not required by law. If a citizen papers in one of the following ways: is eligible to enroll, he can enroll or update his • Upload their voting papers at the Electoral details by: Commission’s website. • Updating or enrolling online. • Fax their voting papers to the Electoral • Picking up an enrolment form from any Commission (+64 4 494 2300). New Zealand diplomatic post. • Post or courier their voting papers to the • Within New Zealand by contacting at Electoral Commission. phone 0800 36 76 56 or from overseas • Post, courier or hand deliver their voting +64 9 909 4182 asking to be sent an papers to their nearest overseas post. enrolment form. All Overseas ballot papers returned to the EC • Asking a member of his family or a friend to complete an enrolment form for him. mustLegislative reach asSupport per the specified time and date. Enrollment with the Help of Other Person The facilities provided by the EC NZ are A person may get someone else to complete supported by the Electoral Act of 1993 and the his enrolment form for him, provided: regulations framed there under. • Such a person is already a registered Detailed information at http://www.elections. elector, and org.nz/

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 43 insights

The United Kingdom: Overseas Voters

The British citizens residing outside United arrangements, the Electoral Commission Kingdom were not able to register to vote in facilitates the British Overseas citizens in the Parliamentary elections in UK prior to the electoral process and the guidance emanates year 1985. Right to franchise was extended to from the voter education to such voters such British citizens under the Representation through the website of the Commission. of the People Act 1985. The enactment The UK Electoral Commission provides enabled them to register as ‘overseas voters’ comprehensive guidance for electors. Some of in the constituency of their last registration. the salient points of guidance and information The facility, initially provided for a period of are as below: 5 years, was extended to 20 years under the Representation of the People Act 1989, but Registration limited to 15 years under the Elections and • If one is registered as an overseas voter, Referendums Act 2000. one can vote in the U K Parliament The Electoral Commission of UK ran an elections. overseas voter registration campaign in • If one is a UK citizen living abroad, one February to April, 2015. A record high can apply to be an overseas voter. number of about 106,000 overseas voters was • One must have been registered to vote in registered during this campaign. Later, during the UK in the last 15 years and be eligible the Electoral Commission’s public awareness to vote in UK Parliamentary general campaign for overseas voters conducted from elections. 17 March to 9 June, 2016, over 135,000 were • If a citizen is too young to register when registered. In December 2016 there were he left the UK, he can still register as an nearly 264,000 registered overseas voters. overseas voter. He can do this if his parent Introduction of the facility to register to vote or guardian was registered to vote in the online in Great Britain including overseas UK, as long as he left the UK no more than voters is considered a factor that facilitated 15 years ago. the registration of overseas voters. • To register to vote in England, Scotland Thus, presently the British citizens living or Wales, one can register online in the overseas are entitled to register for voting same way as all other voters in Great in UK Parliamentary elections for up to 15 Britain. Register online any time at gov. years in the constituency they were registered uk/register-to- vote. in before leaving the UK. But they are not • To register to vote in Northern Ireland, entitled to vote in UK local elections or elections to the devolved assemblies. Ireland Website to download the correct form.visit the Electoral Office for Northern After the general election of 2015, the Government, as a follow up of its manifesto • Enter the postcode for the UK address relating to 'introduce votes for life, scrapping at which one is registered. One will be the rule that bars British citizens who have provided with contact details for one’s lived abroad for more than 15 years from local authority. They will be able to help voting', brought out a policy Statement on the with any questions about the registration subject. This policy Statement ‘A democracy status. that works for everyone: British citizens Method of Voting overseas’ is aimed at providing a lifelong • An overseas voter can choose a method right to vote in Parliamentary elections to of voting depending on personal the British citizens residing abroad. The circumstances. Government has asked for feedback on • An overseas voter can apply for vote by the policy statement from the expatriate post. He needs to ensure that he has time community and from technical experts in to receive and return his ballot. If he electoral process. Further action will follow thinks that he cannot return the ballot on after the feedback. As per the existing time, he may consider voting by proxy.

44 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

• Bottom of Form • Put the postal voting statement and the envelope containing his ballot paper into • To check when postal votes are being sent out he may contact the local authority of the larger supplied envelope and seal it. the address he is registered at. 3. When a voter returns his postal vote: • After completing the form, the voter will • Take it to the post box himself, if have to print it, sign it, and send it back to possible his local authority. • If he cannot do that, either give it to somebody he knows and trust to post Postal Ballot Paper it for him, or ring up his local elections A postal ballot can be issued only after: team, to ask if they can collect it from • The timeline to become a candidate has him. passed and the ballot papers have been • Do not hand it to a candidate or party produced and printed. worker unless no other way is practical • An overseas voter can approach his • Don’t leave it where someone else can pick it up information as to when his postal ballot paperslocal electoral will be registrationissued. office for Change of Address Return of Postal Vote If a voter changes his Remember that this is your vote – so address, he will need to • Once an overseas keep it for yourself! voter has duly make a new application received his ballot, If anyone tries to help you against your will, to vote by post or by he has to mark or force you to give them your postal vote, proxy – his voting his vote on the you should contact the police. preference will not be carried forward to his aforesaid ballot If you have any other queries, ring your local new address. paper and make elections team. sure that he sends it back so that it Proxy Voting arrives by 10pm on Election Day. Arrival If a voter is living overseas, he can appoint later than this will mean that his vote will someone else to vote for him at a UK election not be counted. or referendum. A person cannot be a proxy for A voter can hand his postal ballot in at his • more than two people at any one election or local council on the day if he is not able to referendum, unless they are a close relative. send it back by post in advance. Do’s and Don’ts of Vote by Post Armed Forces Voters, Service Voters 1. Once a voter gets his postal voting papers, The Armed Forces personnel can register he must take certain precautions such as: to vote as ordinary electors, as overseas voters, or as service voters. The Electoral • Put the postal vote papers somewhere safe Administration Act, 2006 provides for extension of the duration of a service • None else than the recipient should handle them • Make sure they are not left where declarationConcerns have to five been years. expressed about the someone else can pick them up under-registration of the Armed Forces 2. When the voter wants to vote, he should: personnel, especially as overseas voters, and • Complete the ballot paper in secret, on his electoral participation. Surveys on the subject own the difficulties faced by them in general in • Do not let anyone else vote for him number of personnel registered as voters. • Do not let anyone else see his vote Awarenessduring 2005 campaigns to 2010 reflect among variations Armed Forces in the • Do not give the ballot paper to anyone else for registration have been run by the Electoral • Put the ballot paper in the envelope and Commission and the Ministry of Defence seal it up himself since 2007. The results of the Armed Forces • Complete and sign the postal voting Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS) in 2016 statement indicate that 80% of the respondents were

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 45 insights

registered to vote as against 73% in 2015 and Registering as a Service Voter there is steady increase in this regard. If a person in service is based overseas or expects to be posted abroad next year, it The proportion of Other Ranks registered to makes sense to register as a Service voter. This vote increased from 63% in 2012 to 70% in

in the UK even if he moves around. have a much higher proportion of registered allows him to be registered at a fixed address voters2014 and at 95% to 76% in 2016 in 2016. as against Officers 89% continue during to 2012-15. Service Voters Registration Road years, but one can cancel his service voter shows held by the Ministry of Defence in 2015 registrationA Service voter at any registration time. lasts five have helped improve registration. In Scotland, a person under 18 years who is The Electoral Registration and Administration registered as a service voter because of living Act 2013 provides for change in the system for with a parent or guardian who is a member voter registration in the UK. Voter Registration of HM Forces must renew their registration can be completed online. This facility appears every year. to have facilitated electoral registration for Service personnel posted abroad. To register in England, Scotland or Wales, one can register to vote on line as a Service It is also a matter of concern that postal voter. For registration in Northern Ireland, one ballots would often not reach those serving abroad in time for them to complete and Northern Ireland. return the papers before polling day. The 2013 may visit the website of Electoral Office for Act has addressed the issue through extending A service personnel based in UK may be the time schedules for Parliamentary registered as an ordinary voter in case he is elections, thereby creating more time for unlikely to change his address or unlikely movement of postal ballot to the voter and its to be posted overseas next year. More return. information and advice can be obtained from The UK Electoral Commission provides comprehensive guidance for the Armed thevoting designated Unit Registration Officer. Forces electors. Some of the salient points of If a Service voter is abroad at the time of the guidance and information are as below: referendum or because of some other reason he is not able to vote in person on the day, he Registering as a Service Voter can apply for vote by post or by proxy. Proxy A citizen can register as a service voter if he is voting is also permissible in case of Armed a member of the armed forces or the spouse or Forces. If an Armed Forces voter is serving civil partner of someone in the armed forces. overseas, he can appoint someone else to vote at a UK election or referendum. In Scotland, a child aged 14 or over whose parent or guardian is a member of HM Forces Voting by Post is also eligible to register as a service voter. Postal votes may only be sent out about a They must be living in Scotland or would be week before Election Day. If a Service voter is living in Scotland if their parent or guardian living abroad, he may appoint a proxy to vote were not based overseas. They will not be on his behalf as there may not be enough time able to vote in Scottish Parliamentary or local for his postal vote to reach him and be sent government elections until they are 16 or in back before voting closes. UK Parliamentary or European Parliamentary elections until they are 18.

References (Website): Australia; Australian Electoral Commission voter resources at http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/ overseas/index.html http://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/ http /vote-mail-easy-eng.pdf

://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/easy-english/files

46 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

The United States of America: Voting Assistance for Military and Overseas Voters and others

Introduction USA has well designed legislative framework form by hand or use the online assistance completing their FPCA. Voters can fill out the and technology driven programmes to protect before they print, sign and send the FPCA to and support the voting rights of its overseas citizens including the Armed Forces personnel and their family members. The essential legislative framework is provided by the relevant provisions of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Federal Voting Assistance Programme (FVAP) provides theirFederal election Voting office. Assistance Program (FVAP) comprehensive support and guidance on the subject. The Voter Guide and the Guidelines FVAP is a Department of Defense organization of Election Assistance Commission (EAC) that works to ensure that the Service provide information, guidance and of members, their eligible family members, and educative value to these voters. The support overseas citizens are aware of their right progammes are technology driven. to vote. FVAP also ensures that such voters have the facility and resources to successfully UOCAVA and its Support System register and vote from anywhere in the world. The voting rights of the millions of U.S. To provide assistance to voters FVAP develops citizens living overseas, as well as Service partnerships with the US Military Services, members and their eligible family members, Department of State, Department of Justice, are protected by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). About local governments administer U.S. elections, and election officials from the states. State and 75 percent of the 1.3 million Service members are eligible to vote absentee through the including those for federal offices. FVAP UOCAVA provisions since they are stationed by providing absentee voting information, supports state and local election officials away from their voting residence and polling materials, training and guidance. FVAP place. organizes Voter Weeks also at appropriate time to provide timely voter engagement for The Overseas citizens and Service members UOCAVA voters. who intend to exercise absentee vote have to, FVAP has been entrusted with administration Card Application (FPCA) in a registration and of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens ballotas a first request step, fillform up and send a Federal Post Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defence. accepted by all states. FVAP’s call center provides assistance in This form is available UOCAVA, as amended by case of any difficulties, issues or questions the Military and Overseas at FVAP.gov. The to the voters at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683), voters are expected Voter Empowerment DSN 425-1584 or at [email protected] (MOVE) Act, requires this form well in time Toll-free phone numbers from 67 States to transmit the soto fillthat up they and meet send countries are listed at FVAP.gov absentee ballots to Find us on Facebook at facebook.com / UOCAVA voters no later by different states DoDFVAP and follow @FVAP on Twitter than 45 days before a asthe per deadlines their election fixed Federal Election. Citizens calendar. facilitated by UOCAVA include the Members of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Voters can visit FVAP.gov for their state’s Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned request deadlines, as well as information on specific voter registration and ballot

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 47 insights

Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric links for helpful resources to voters inter alia Administration Commissioned Corps), including registration, military and overseas Members of Merchant Marines, Eligible family voting, accessibility, and volunteering as a poll members of the above and the U.S. citizens worker. Different states also publish Voter residing outside the U.S. Guides for the elections in their respective domain. Extract from EAC Voter Guide for FVAP assists voters through partnerships with Uniformed and Overseas Citizens is at Annex I the Military Services, Department of State, for ready reading.

from 50 States, U.S. territories and the District EAC’s ‘6 Tips for Helping UOCAVA Voters ofDepartment Columbia. of Justice and election officials and their Families’ The U.S. Election Assistance Commission Help America Vote Act, 2002 (EAC) collaborated with the U.S. Department Help America Vote Act, 2002 addresses of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance improvements to voting systems and voter Program (FVAP) to develop these tips for working with Service members, their families 2000 election. HAVA established the Election and citizens residing overseas. Service Assistanceaccess that Commissionwere identified (EAC) following to generate the members, their families and overseas citizens new mandatory minimum standards for face unique challenges in registering to vote states to follow in several key areas of election and in requesting, receiving and returning administration including voter education, their ballots. These six tips can help these assistance to UOCAVA voters and related subjects and provide funding to help states of electoral participation. All these guidelines meet these new standards. EAC is also arevoters available more efficiently on the EAC navigate website the for process voters responsible for maintaining the National and others for information and guidance. Voter Registration form, conducting research, All the guidelines and documents have links and administering a national clearing house embedded for quick follow up on action on elections that includes shared practices, points. information for voters and other resources to improve election administration. Accessible Voting Technology Initiative Sec 242 of the HAVA provides for Study, Report The EAC’s Accessible Voting Technology and Recommendations on Best Practice for Initiative (AVTI) supports accessibility facilitating Military and Overseas Voting research on transformative technologies and for developing the facilitating the guidance approaches.. The initiatives include the EAC’s through voluntary guidelines etc. Sections 701 Military Heroes grant to provide assistance to 707 provide detailed legislative framework needed for recently injured military personnel for Absentee Voters. to participate in elections.

EAC’s Voter Guides to Federal Elections EAC Research EAC’s Voter Guides are highly informative, EAC collects data from states for each federal simple to read and cover all aspects of election on the number of overseas and electoral process and available on EAC military voter ballots that are transmitted, website. The guides are intended to help returned, and cast. This data is included in voters successfully navigate the Federal EAC’s biennial Election Administration and election process in a holistic manner from Voting Survey. In addition, EAC has issued registering to vote through casting a ballot several surveys to better understand the on Election Day. In addition to providing the process and experience of military and basics of casting a ballot, the guides include overseas voting. These reports are utilized for information on voter eligibility, early voting, developing guidelines and educative purposes. alternative registration and voting processes (Refer to EAC Resource Library) for uniformed and overseas citizens, and EAC Events polling place accommodation that make voting EAC holds many meetings and roundtable more accessible to different categories of discussions on issues that affect military and voters. Published in 11 languages to maximize overseas voters. These events bring together outreach, the Guides also provide relevant

48 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 insights

above, EAC Guidelines on UOCAVA citizen’s problems that affect the voting rights of residency and Frequently Asked Questions are militarytop experts and in overseas the field citizens. to work (Refer to solve to the EAC of informative and help citizens in educating Resource Library) themselves on the subject. EAC’s interactive websites for Military personnel and overseas EAC Resources voters are extremely helpful to the voters in Further to the EAC resources referred to this category. Annex I: Extract for Uniformed and Overseas Citizen from EAC Voter Guide ‘6 Tips For Helping UOCAVA Voters and their Families’ WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR UNIFORMED AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS? To register to vote, members of the military and overseas citizens may use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), available from the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP’s) Web portal at www.fvap.gov. The FVAP Web portal offers a step-by-step tool to guide military service members and overseas citizens through the voter registration process. All States and territories accept the FPCA as a simultaneous application for registration and a request for an absentee ballot. Depending on your State of residence, you can return the completed FPCA by e-mail, fax, or mail. If you mail the FPCA, send it in an envelope with proper postage or in an FVAP prepaid return envelope. Go to www.fvap.gov to see how to return your form. If you are already registered to vote, you may still submit an FPCA to request a ballot, ideally early in the Federal election

year. Printed copies of the FPCA are available at U.S. embassies, military bases and consular offices. Voting form. If you need help with the absentee voting process, visit the FVAP Web site at www.fvap.gov, contact the Assistance Officers at those sites can provide any information or assistance you may need to complete the gov/contact/tollfreephone.html), or e-mail the program at [email protected]. FVAP at (703) 588–1584 (toll free at [800] 438–VOTE; also available toll free from 70 countries at www.fvap. Military service members and overseas citizens may also request the electronic transmission of blank voting materials. Jurisdictions that mail voting materials are required to send them to the requesting voter 45 days

before an election to ensure sufficient time to receive and return voted ballots. Kenya: Initiative on Diaspora Voters

The Constitution of Kenya stipulates legislation consensus amongst political parties and of a framework for the progressive registration consideration of international best practices. of citizens residing outside Kenya, and the progressive realization of their right to vote Key considerations for the process includes: (Article 82, section (1) subsection (e)). In costs, the impact of Diaspora voting on working to achieve this mandate, Independent domestic politics, logistics and other Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is operational issues. Diaspora voting comes with developing detailed regulations and procedures administrative challenges such as security and on Diaspora registration and voting and will transportation of electoral materials, voter submit the same to Parliament at least 6 education and training. months before the general elections as required by law. Diaspora voter by the number of years spent The initiative involves a consultative process abroadSome jurisdictions besides the defineneed to the identify eligibility agents of the and that needs the input from Kenyans in the Diaspora, Civil Society Organisations and observers.

References: Voter Education Resources of respective EMB’s Electoral Commission of UK; Report on the administration of the 7 May S D Sharma 2015 Elections including the UK Parliamentary General Election, 2015. Senior Fellow ‘A democracy that works for everyone: British citizens overseas.’ A Election Commission of India Policy Statement of the Government of the U K, 2016

2017. House of Commons Library; Briefing Paper on ‘Armed Forces Voting’, The US EAC, 6 Tips for Helping UOCAVA Voters and their Families. FVAP,House USA of Commons Library; Briefing Paper on ‘Overseas voters’, 2017

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 49 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Superior Electoral Court, Brazil Promoting Electoral Education among High Schools

lectoral Judiciary School of Superior Electoral Court (Brazil) recently Ereleased the #partiumudar project, focused on political education for young people from 14 to 18 years old. Conceived and developed in cooperation with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund - UNICEF, it consists in a set of initiatives concerning political literacy and participation enhancement among high school students. Judiciary Schools of all over Brazil are The core of the project is a website where conducting regional events and signing agreements with public education secretaries. material, news, surveys, videos, photos and a To learn more about the project, visit www.tse. goodstudents practices and teachers archiv. Forcan example, find didactic teachers jus.br/partiumudar. can access the so called Teacher’s Guide, with technical and pedagogic informations on the main themes of current democracy in Brazil, such as women participation in politics and the role of political parties and media in strengthening democracy. At the release ceremony, minister Gilmar Mendes highlighted that “mainly among young people there is an outcry for breakthroughs, but it only can be reached with a change of political culture which starts with young people themselves. Usually, youth is not aware of its own transformation potential”. Professor Fábio L. Quintas, Director of Electoral Judiciary School of Superior Electoral Court, stressed that it is possible to learn politics from the daily life: “We understand that politics are part of the life and should be developed inclusively at school", he said. As implementation strategy, Electoral

50 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

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ETPB ds lkFk vkidks rhu vU; phtsa Hkh feysxhA vkidk oksV vekU; vkxs dh ½ ekuk tk,xk ;fn% tc vkids fuokZpu {ks= esa pquko 1- ?kks"k.kki= (Q‚eZ – 13A dk;Zokgh OTP ½ – bls gksxsa] vkidks vkidk eri=] 2- doj A (Q‚eZ – 13B gsrq ist&4 ;fn vki ,d ls vf/kd ftlesa vkids lHkh fooj.k Hkjs dkVdj NksVs fyQkQs ¼eki dk vuqlj.k (elec- mEehnokj ds fy, oksV djrs gSaA gksxsa] bysDVª‚fudyh 4"x9"½ ij fpidkuk gSA djsaA – 13C½ – bls tronically) çkIr gksxkA vkidks 3- doj B (Q‚eZ çnku fd;k ;fn vki nks ukeksa ds e/; esa ,d vks-Vh-ih (OTP) dkVdj cM+s fyQkQs *;fn lsok ernkrk dh iRuh] lk/kkj.k :i ls mlds lkFk fuokl ETPB MkmuyksM fu'kku yxk nsrs gSa tks vkidh tk,xk rkfd vki viuk ¼eki 4.75"x11"½ ij fpidkuk gSA ilan dks Li"V ugha djrkA dj ldsaA shared the film on djrh gS rks og Hkh lsok ernkrk dh lwph esa iathÑr gks ldrh gS (download) page. ;fn iksLVy cSyV ij vki vius * fof/k ds v/khu efgyk lsok ernkrk ds ifr dks fQygky ;g lqfo/kk miyC/k ugha gSA gLrk{kj dj nsrs gSa ;k dksbZ Q‚eZ – FORM 13A FORM 13 A DECLARATIONBallot paper vc ?kks"k.kki= ¼ 47(1)] 'kCn ;k fu'kku cuk nsrs gSaA e rule [Se

Samiti fu;qä anchayat ………………P ………………… ………………… ………………… cy, okys ………Constituen … ……………… . Roll …………… ….of voter in E ETPB No. …………… rial …………… Se …………… ord Part No…… (ii) any other rec ½ vkSj (i) EPIC ter: entification of vo 13A d produced for id Recor e box] ark in appropriat [Please put tick m vf/kdkjh dh her official Facebook

.I. of voter Signature / L.T

;fn fyQkQk lhy@fpidk;k A* fpfàr NksVs …… ^doj ………………… ation)……… …………(Perfor ………………… ………………… mifLFkfr esa ……... ……………… ………………… iti ……………… B* fpfàr cM+s fyQkQs Panchayat Sam ………………… ugha x;k gSA nstituency No.…… Co bol Sym

me Na fyQkQs dks ^doj ATTESTED Q‚eZ – 13A viuk oksV ntZ djus esa Mkys vkSj fyQkQk vPNh çdkj ls can vxj cM+k fyQkQk [kksyus ij esa ?kks"k.kki= ij ds ckn] ETPB dks 13A ugha djs vkSj lhy djsaA ?kks"k.kki= Q‚eZ – vf/kdkjh vkids gLrk{kj djsaA eksM+dj NksVs fyQkQs ik;k tk;sA gLrk{kj ¼doj A½ esa esa dk lR;kiu MkyasA fyQkQs dks Q‚eZ – 13A To ;fn Form 13 C RO ¼attest½ djsxsa vPNh çdkj ls can djsa ?kks"k.kki= ij vkids gLrk{kj signature : vkSj ?kks"k.kki= vkSj lhy djsaA ugha gSa ;k l{ke vf/kdkjh us ^doj B* fpfàr fyQkQs ij vius iwjs vkidks okil lR;kiu ¼attest½ ugha fd;k gSA gLrk{kj djsaA vc bldks Mkd ;k dj nsxsaA RO dks HksatsaA Messenger ls

oxhZÑr lsok ernkrk 1950 ds varxZr fdlh cy esa gS rks vki oxhZÑr lsok ernkrk ds :i esa vxj vki lsok ernkrk gS vkSj l'kL= lsuk ;k lsuk vf/kfu;e Proxy½ ds ek/;e ls Hkh oksV dj ldrs gSa vFkkZr~ vki vius LFkku ij fdlh vkSj dks oksV djusvkidk ds fy,çfrfuf/k pqu ldrs gSaA vius çfrfuf/k ¼ /;ku j[k]sa jktuSfrd ;fn vki vius x`g ¼Proxy½ ml fuokZpu vkidk çfrfuf/k mEehnokj }kjk {ks= dk lkekU; fuoklh FORM uxj ¼Nqêh½ esa gSa rks vki 13F ½ fjVfuaZx ukekadu dh vafre Navy ¼Proxy vkSj vkidk çfrfuf/k RO gks] pkgs og ernkrk Army vf/kdkjh ¼RO½ dks QkeZ rkjh[k ls igys ds :i esa iath—r u ¼Proxy½ nksuksa uksVjh@ – 13F Central Industrial tek djk ldrk gSA dks Q‚eZ Hkh gks ijarq ernkrk GREF in Border Road çFke Js.kh eftLVªsV ds dk vkosnu fey Security Force le{k QkeZZ – 13F ij cuus ds fy, v;ksX; Organisation CO tkuk pkfg, ¼;kfu ½ ugha ¼disqualified Army gLrk{kj dj ldrs gSa pquko ls yxHkx 16 RO dks Hkst gksuk pkfg,A RO vkSj mls fnu igys½A Air Force Indo Tibetan Assam Rifles Hkjsa ldrs gSaA – 13F Armed Police Force of a State Q‚eZZ serving outside that state Border Force CO½ Central Reserve Police Force Coast Guard vius lhvks ¼ ;kn j[ksa] ,d ckj fu;qDr attest½ ½ dks ls lR;kiu ¼ çfrfuf/k ¼Proxy gks tkus ij vkidk çfrfuf/k djok,a vkSj bls vius vkidk çfrfuf/k cnyk tk ldrk gS( vki ¼Proxy½ rc rd cuk jgsxk – 13G esa çfrfuf/k dks HkstsaA ¼Proxy½ vkids RO dks Q‚eZ tc rd mldh fu;qfDr vki Q‚eZ – çfrfuf/k dks fuokZpu {ks= ds fQj ls iksLVy cSyV dk jí ugha dj nsrsA TioN 13F ij uksVjh@çFke ernku dsUæ ij vkosnu ns ldrs gSaA How do I Vote ica Js.kh eftLVªsV ds le{k oksV djsxkA Election Commission of India Identity Card argeT gLrk{kj djus gksaxsA T Assam Rifles lkekU; ernkrk ¼;fn vki ihl LVs'ku ij rSukr gSa½ A guide for Service Voters commuN NOTARY vki viuh rSukrh ds LFkku ij fuokZpu {ks= ds ernku dsUæ ij [kqn GREF in Border Road ProducTs ◆ service Personnel oksV dj ldrs gSaA Organisation Navy Assam Rifles Indo Tibetan Border Force Navy Army Army educational film in Hindi Central Industrial Government of India officials Central Industrial ◆ ◆ spouse of service GREF in Border Road Coast Guard Security Force posted outside India Security Force Organisation & english Personnel

Army

Air Force Air Force Indo Tibetan Assam Rifles ◆ a/v promos in Hindi ◆ Wards of service Armed Police Force of a State serving outside that state www.servicevoter.nic.in Border Force

Central Reserve Police Force Coast Guard vr% vkt gh Border Security Force Personnel ◆ radio spots in Hindi brochure.indd 1 ◆ friends ij viuk iathdj.k djk,a--- dksbZ ernkrk u NwVs ◆ brochure in Hindi, How do I Vote 01-11-2017 13:04:09 english and roman Hindi ◆ opinion leaders

Assam Rifles A guide for Service Voters motivational banners GREF in Border Road rkfd vki v«x«eh pqukoksa esa ernku dj ldsa! ◆

Indo Tibetan Border Force and hoardings ndia Organisation Navy Assam Rifles Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx] fuokZpu lnu] v'kksd jksM] ubZ fnYyh&110001 भारत निरा픾चि आयोग 19:16 commission of i 19: 1800-11-1950 2017 gsYiykbu% ction 11-09- Government of India officials Army ElE Coast Guard Central Industrial lqO;ofLFkr ernkrk f'k{kk vkSj ◆ interactive trivia posted outside India www.eci.nic.in 01-11-2017 13:04:53 Security Force fuokZpd lgHkkfxrk ¼Lohi½ gaming app Quizup www.ecisveep.nic.in Air Force laidZ djsa% topic-indian elections www.servicevoter.nic.in

Border Security Force brochure.indd 1

poster4.indd 1

01-11-2017 13:04:09

Panels-Final.indd 2

Navy Central Industrial Army Security Force GREF in Border Road Organisation = iqfyl cy ukSlsuk lsuk Army dsUæh; fjtoZ Air Force Indo Tibetan Assam Rifles

; ls ckgj rSukr gS lhek lM+d laxBu esa lsuk ; dk l'kL Armed Police Force of a State serving outside that state Border Force

iqfyl cy Central Reserve Police Force Coast Guard ok;q lsuk xzsQ dsUæh; vkS|ksfxd Hkkjr frCcr lqj{kk cy

fdlh jkT vle jkbQYl tks ml jkT lhek cy lsok ernkrkvksalhek lqj{kk cy rVj{kd How do I Vote ds fy, iathdj.k ,oa ernku izfØ;k Assam Rifles vle jkbQYl A guide for Service Voters GREF in Border Road lhek lM+d laxButkudkjh esa xzsQ lgk;rk iqfLrdk dsUæh; vkS|ksfxd lqj{kk cy Organisation Navy Assam Rifles Indo Tibetan Border Force

Hkkjr frCcr lhek cy ukSlsuk vle jkbQYl Coast Guard Government of India officials Central Industrial Army Hkkjr ls ckgj rSukr Hkkjr ljdkj ds vf/ rVj{kd posted outside India Security Force kdkjh vkSj deZpkjh dsUæh; fjtoZ lsuk iqfyl cy

lhek lqj{kk cy Air Force

ukSlsuk

Service Brochure - Hindi-20-10.indd 1 Border Security Force

brochure.indd 1

52 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 01-11-2017 13:04:09 01-11-2017 13:03:42 SPECIAL INITIATIVES

sTraTegY for s sTraTegY erVice PersoNNeL for serVice PersoNNe iN iNdiaN missioNs/ i L embassies N iNdiaN missioNs/ embassies ◆ training and skill development programmes of the mea to include a module on Postal ballot ◆ training and skill development programmes of ◆ special training sessions for embassy officials the mea to include a module on Postal ballot ◆ embassies to display posters and pamphlets on How do i Vote ◆ special training sessions for embassy officials ◆ missions to make available relevant forms to all ◆ their employees on their postings embassies to display posters and pamphlets on How do i Vote ◆ eci brochure on overseas electors and on service voters to be widely disseminated ◆ missions to make available relevant forms to all ◆ social media pages of embassies/ missions to their employees on their postings carry messages on electoral participation and link to www.servicevoter.nic.in/ india v ◆ election commission of india otes/ eci brochure on overseas electors and on service voters to be widely disseminated भारत निरा픾चि आयोग Panels-Final.indd 4 ElEction commission of india ◆ social media pages of embassies/ missions to 11-09-2017 19:20:06 carry messages on electoral participation and link to www.servicevoter.nic.in/ india votes/ Strategy for election commission of india

oterS भारत निरा픾चि आयोग Panels-Final.indd 4 Service v ElEction commission of india messagiNg 11-09-2017 19:20:06 acTiViTY ouTreacH Numbers sTraTegY & aTioN WWa, ◆ eligibility of service imPLemeNT ◆ special camps for registration and awareness drive

◆ collaboration witha Wives associations like a Defence Personnel and wife, if ◆ identification of nodal afWa, nWW officers for awareness Personnel ordinarily resident at the and outreach from ◆ continuous awareness at induction and training academies and centres place of posting among the services oters 1.5 million ◆ regular interaction with ◆ Dedicated Portal for service v the nodal officers for ◆ outreach through in-house magazines & newsletters monitoring the outreach ◆ registration process programme ◆ annual Days to be used to facilitate registration of officers, jawans, airmen, sailors and their wives central ● ◆ collaboration forms for registration and ◆ integration of eci websites/ portals and social media armeD Police ◆ Periodic impact page/ channel with accounts/ handles of ministry/ supporting documents assessment & evaluation associated organizations Personnel of strategies ● www.servicevoter.nic.in million भारत निरा픾चि आयोगndia 1.29 ElEction commission of i ◆ Voting 11-09-2017 19:19:31 ● Postal ballot and etPb inDian officials

l.indd 3 oting/ classified Panels-Fina serving abroaD ● Proxy v service voter Thousands oter ● as a general v

commuNicaTio11-09-2017 19:18:49N

भारत निरा픾चि आयोगndia ElEction commission of i ProducTs

Panels-Final.indd 1 ◆ educational film in Hindi TargeT & english ◆ service Personnel ◆ a/v promos in Hindi ◆ spouse of service ◆ radio spots in Hindi Personnel ◆ brochure in Hindi, ◆ Wards of service ioN english and roman Hindi icaT Personnel TargeT commuN ◆ motivational banners ◆ friends ProducTs ◆ service Personnel and hoardings ◆ educational film in Hindi ◆ spouse of service ◆ opinion leaders & english Personnel ◆ interactive trivia ◆ a/v promos in Hindi ◆ Wards of service Personnel gaming app Quizup ◆ radio spots in Hindi topic-indian elections ◆ friends ◆ brochure in Hindi, english and roman Hindi ◆ opinion leaders ◆ motivational banners and hoardings ndia भारत निरcommissionा픾चि आयोग of i 2017 19:19:16 ElEction 11-09- ◆ interactive trivia gaming app Quizup भारत निरा픾चि आयोग topic-indian elections ElEction commission of india

Panels-Final.indd 2 11-09-2017 19:19:16

Panels-Final.indd 2 iViTY reacH acT TegY & ouT sTra a, aTioN ◆ special camps for registration and awarenessWW drive imPLemeNT Strategy for oterS ◆ collaboration with Wives associations like a Service v ◆ identification of nodal a afWa, nWW messagiNg officers for awareness Numbers ◆ eligibility of service and outreach from ◆ continuous awareness at induction and training Defence Personnel and wife, if Personnel ordinarily resident at the among the services academies and centres oters 1.5 million place of posting ◆ registration process ◆ regular interaction with ◆ Dedicated Portal for service v central ● forms for registration and armeD Police supporting documents Personnel the nodal officers for ● www.servicevoter.nic.in ◆ outreach through in-house magazines & newsletters 1.29 million monitoring the outreach ◆ Voting ● Postal ballot and etPb inDian officials ◆ annual Days to be used to facilitate registration of oting/ classified programme serving abroaD ● Proxy v service voter officers, jawans, airmen, sailors and their wives Thousands oter ◆ collaboration ● as a general v ◆ integration of eci websites/ portals and social media 11-09-2017 19:18:49 भारत निरा픾चि आयोगndia ◆ Periodic impact ElEction commission of i page/ channel with accounts/ handles of ministry/ Panels-Final.indd 1 assessment & evaluation associated organizations of strategies

भारत निरा픾चि आयोगndia ElEction commission of i

11-09-2017 19:19:31

Panels-Final.indd 3 Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 53 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

Special Registration Drive

Special Registration Drive was launched have completed 18 years of age on January 1, by Election Commission of India from 2017. Different mediums/ creatives were used A July 1, 2017 to July 31, 2017 to enrol all to spread awareness by all the states/ UTs on eligible voters especially the youngsters who the special registration drive.

Meghalaya: Song : TarakTakTak http://voicenet.in/video.htm

54 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Bihar:

Mahatrastra:

West Bengal:

Punjab:

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 55 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

Initiatives on Facebook during Special Registration Drive

hile the July special drive was being executed on ground with planned particular focus on first time electors. This is a precision, the Election Commission VOTER TO BE LEFT BEHIND’. I am sure this W step towards fulfilment of the motto of ECI- ‘NO of India, leaving no stones unturned, decided initiative will strengthen Election Commission to reach out to Indian citizens by making of India’s enrolment campaign and encourage full use of the biggest social media platform future voters to participate in the electoral – Facebook. Partnering with Facebook, the process and become responsible Citizens of India.” registration reminder from July 1 to July 4, Commission launched its first nationwide voter Along with the voter registration reminder, 2017.

With over 180 million facebook users in the Election Commission of India also put India, the ‘Register Now’ button was designed up motivating messages that served as daily to encourage Indian citizens to register themselves with the Election Commission of Votes. The online campaign received a lot of reminders on its official facebook page, India India. The voter registration reminder was sent positive reactions, especially from the country’s to every facebook user in India who was above youth who felt just a little more connected with the age of 18 in thirteen Indian languages the Indian democracy. including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Assamese, Marathi and Oriya.

Unveiling facebook's 'Voter Registration Reminder' design, Nasim Zaidi, the then Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India(ECI), said “I am pleased to announce that the Election Commission of India is going to launch a ‘Special Drive to enrol left out electors, with a

56 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

Interactive School Engagement (ISE) Phase-II

he second phase of Interactive School process. First phase covered Engagement (ISE) was carried out in TJuly-August, 2017 in 16,576 Secondary/ from eleven thousand seven Senior Secondary Schools covering 31,72,243 hundredtwenty five sixty lakh schools students all over India. students across the country. ISE is to be conducted in two phases, January- It may be recalled that ISE was launched in June and July - December, with students of class 9th to 12th being sensitised on importance and each ERO/DEO/CEO was directed to cover at- processes of elections. A standard kit with a leastJanuary one 2017 school for under the first their time area under of jurisdiction which presentation, badge design, video game, short and interact with the students of classes 9th – 12th on topics related to elections and electoral for the same. film has been shared with the EROs/CEO/DEO

HOW TO APPLY FOR

ONLINE APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT IN VOTER LIST

ENROLLMENT IN VOTER LIST

Or VFC at BDO & SDO Office

INTERACTIVE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME 2017

DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICERDARJEELING

Form-6 (For new Enrollment) ? 6.Place of Birth Who can file mention name of place like In case born in India, please DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER-DARJEELING First time applicant on attaining age of 18years or more on the VOTING RIGHTS 1. 1. Village / Town, District, State. DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER-DARJEELING first day of January of the year with reference to which the & electoral roll is being revised. ENROLLMENT PROCESS 7.Relation’s Name: Person shifting his / her place of ordinary residence outside the In case of unmarried female applicant, name of Father / 2. y registered. constituency in which he / she is alread Mother is to be mentioned. In case of married femaleinapplicable applicant, name of Husband is to be mentioned. Strike out the When Form-6 can be filed ? Voting Rights in India: options in the column. 1. 1.The application can be filed after draft publication of electoral With elections under way in many states of India, all roll of the constituency. The application is to be filed within the 8.Place of Ordinary Residence Indian citizens who are eligible to vote are given a chance to specific days provided for the purpose. Due publicity is given Fill up the full and complete postal address including about the above period when the revision programme is PIN code where you are ordinarily residing and want to get exercise their franchise and participate in the electoral process. registered, in the space provided. The Indian Constitution has granted the right to vote to all Indian announced. ed are as under: Proofs of ordinary residence to be attach 2.Only one copy of the application is to be filed. citizens of sound mind above the age of 18, irrespective of an (i)Bank / Kisan / Post Office current Pass Book, or individual’s caste, religion, social or economic status. This right 3.Application for inclusion of name can be filed through out the yearnon- (ii)Applicants Ration Card / Passport / Driving License / Income Tax is universally granted to all Indians, with a few exceptions. even when the revision programme is not going on. During Returned filed or Assessment Order, or period, application must be filed in duplicate. Latest Water / Telephone / Electricity / Gas Connection Bill revision (iii) address, either in the name of As a voter, one is entitled to certain rights and privileges Form-6 ? for that Where to file the applicant or that of his / her immediate relation like parents as laid down by the Constitution, which safeguards the rights of 1.During revision period, the application can be filed at the etc., or the voter. It also lays down the conditions under which this Postal department’s posts received / delivered in the designated locations where the draft electoral roll is displayed (iv) privilege is granted to citizens. Voting is not a fundamental right, (mostly polling station locations) as well as the Electoral applicant’s name at the given address. on Officer and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer but is a legal right granted to citizens. Registrati Electoral of the constituency. 9.Details of Family Members Already Included in the Who Can Vote? Roll 2.During other period of the year when revision programme is not Please fill up name and other particulars of immediate going on, the application can be filed only with the Electoral As per the Indian Constitution, all Indian citizens above family members i.e. Father / Mother / Brother / Sister / Spouse Registration Officer. the age of 18 years who have registered themselves as voters are included in the current electoral roll of the constituency. sisters Name etc. not of Form-6 ? any other relation like uncle, aunt, cousin brother / eligible to vote. These individuals can vote in national, state, How to Fill the to be mentioned. district as well as local government body elections. 1. 1.The application should be addressed to the Electoral Registration Officer of the constituency in which you seek 10.Declaration No individual can be detained or prevented from voting, unless registration. The name of the constituency should be mentioned Please indicate date from which you are residing in the in the blank space. fill-up month he/she fulfil the criteria for disqualification. given address. In case the exact date is not known,

2.Name (With Documentary Proof) and year. ar in the electoral roll and Electors Every voter is allowed one vote only. A voter can vote at the The name as it should appe If your name is already included in the electoral roll of any other constituency where he has registered himself only. Photo Identity Card (EPIC) should be furnished. The full name constituency, please write legibly the full previous address with except the surname should be written in the first box and PIN code. Eligible voters have to register themselves in the constituency surname should be written in the second box. Ingiven case name. Caste If you already have been issued with a Photo Identity Card by the where they live,filling up and submitting Form-6 to the Electoral you do not have a surname, just write the used as Election Commission, please mention the card number (printedide) of should not be mentioned except where the caste name is on the front side) and date of issue (printed on the back s self- Registration Officer of their constituency, upon which they will part of the elector’s name or a surname. the card in the space provided. Please attach a be issued ‘Electoral Photo Identity Card’ (also known as EPIC attested photocopy of both sides of the card. 3.Age (With Documentary Proof) cards). Voters are not allowed to enrol at more than one place. The age of the applicant should be eighteen the electoral or more roll on is 1st January of the year with reference to which

being revised. The age should be indicated in years and months.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 57 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

Towards better Election Management: RONET

aking another step towards ensuring a better Election Management in India, the TElection Commission of India has come Officer(CEO), District Election Officer(DEO) and intelligentReturning Officer(RO)decisions during with the necessarycritical online decision support system for the conduct information for making efficient, time-bound ofup elections. with Returning Chief Election Officer NET Commissioner, (RONET), the A.K. Joti, along with Election Commissioners, O.P. electoralelection process. process, RONET thus enabling can respond real time quickly data to the changing needs during various stages of the

Delhi.Rawat Ofand all Sunil the 29 Arora States launched in India, RONET Himachal on availability for the electoral staff. October 17, 2017 at Nirvachan Sadan, New CEO/DEO/RO about polling staff deployment, The software provides updated information to Pradesh will be the first state going for the polls Paper Audit Trail deployment and a host of to use RONET on November 9, 2017. Electronic Voting Machine/Voter Verifiable used in a few constituencies of the recently concludedRONET has Punjab been tested Assembly on pilot Elections, basis and it is first like Persons with Disability database, dispatch andother collection infrastructure centre, as counting well as inventory centre, polling details going to use it in the whole state of Himachal station, critical polling booths, web-casting of for the first time that Election Commission is elections etc. During the polling days, the Returning Pradesh. RONET would also be used for the first time for processing payments to the entire workforce involved in the election process. party about training, material dispatch, been connected with Himachal Pradesh’s State postingOfficer can orders, directly postal communicate ballots and topre-poll polling To ensure seamless e-payments, RONET has arrangements by sending SMS and mobile the contesting candidates can directly apply Treasury application, e-Kosh. Through RONET, for permissions and in-turn, the Returning party can directly inform about poll day notifications. On the other hand, polling their mobile app. Officer (RO) will be able to view the permission arrangements and voter turnouts straight from requests instantly. RONET thus will play a key centricrole in facilitatingmobile application fast and effectivetoo has been functioning report any law and order issue or malfunction of various RO operations. RONET’s citizen ofDuring EVM/VVPAT the polling, from the their Presiding mobile Officer application, can

complaints.developed through Further, which they canthe alsocitizens see thecan pollinglodge voter booth, related electoral issues roll or name Code search of Conduct and immediately the message is flashed to Sector the election results directly from this app. Officer, Returning Officer, and District Election escalatesOfficer for the taking matter corrective to the next action. higher Upon failure authority.of a timely response, the RONET automatically RONET is a specialised decision support software which provides the Chief Electoral

The Commission launches RONET application

58 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Election Commission of India

Mat evam Matdaan witnesses increased participation

‘Mat evam Matdan, kare Loktantra nirman’, is registration followed a joint community radio initiative of ECI and by second episode NIOS-CR where different aspects of elections on Systematic Voters’ and the election processes are explored. Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP). The recently aired fourth episode focused on presidential elections with Umesh Sinha, Senior This one-hour Deputy Election Commissioner of India and S.K. programme, aired every Mendiratta, Legal Advisor, ECI as the expert. third thursday of the month at 'NIOS-CR' FM The third episode, broadcasted on August17, 91.2 MHz, incorporates interview/ panel 2017, introduced the listeners to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), VVPAT and NOTA. The dignitaries who answered the queries included Umesh Sinha, Sr. DEC, Mr. Sudeep Jain, DEC and Nikhil Kumar, Director, ECI. It has been witnessed that the participation in the contest, where a question is posed at the end of each episode, has increased manifold in the recent episodes.

It may be recalled that the discussion with expert(s) along with small snippets of different creatives developed by first episode focused on voter enrolment and ECI to spread awareness on importance of elections such as songs, jingles, audio/ video plays, statements by icons, advertisements etc. This makes the radio programme even more informative and interesting. Moreover, a question is posed at the end of each

given a prize by Election Commission of India. programme and first 25 correct entries are

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 59 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Independent Electoral Commission

Educating young voters in Lesotho

lections in African context had been delivered to young women and men in the viewed with a moment of madness and tertiary institutions. This was done in forms of Ea season of contentions curses. Most one on one where an electoral educator would of them named with violence and arbitrating hold a session with one tertiary student and a case no different from the Kingdom Of pass the message of voter education, or in a Lesotho. This piece seeks to highlight some of group discussion where one or more educators the measures taken by Independent Electoral address a group of tertiary institution in one Commission (IEC) of Lesotho and its local session still delivering the same message of partners in addressing the most causes of their encouragement to vote. problem. 'My Vote My Score' Tournament Voter’s knowledge levels on engaging people Voter education being past in a tournament and their right to participate in civic life has were the participants were given the message arguably been the major cause of violence in before games could start in the team talk by the the period coming to and ending elections. voter educators taking part in the event. These Voter education which is now known as tournament saw young people competing electoral education is a process of involving against each other in volleyball and soccer electorate in the electoral processes through sporting codes and the theme was explained persuasive and effective communication. This to them. Scoring in any sporting event is very process provides key factual information regarding electoral law, procedures and other as a winner, in the same respect exercising significant, very valuable, it signifies the person important responsibilities of electors. It serves to help people understand all important steps step towards becoming a responsible citizen, one’s right to vote means taking a significant in the voting process. Equally important, it one who participates in decision making, and dismisses misconceptions about different this is equivalent to scoring. electoral processes. It also mobilizes people to participate in peaceful electoral activities and to also make sure. Not only is the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho responsible for voter/electoral education, but other stakeholders in elections have the responsibilities to educate people about electoral law, encourage them to participate and ensure elections that are free of choice, free from any form of coercion and intimidation. These stakeholders include Political Parties, Civil Organization Societies, Media, Church Leaders, Chiefs and other Community Leaders.

Following were the activities organised ;

Tertiary Institutions Schools competing in a volleyball match With this activity, the voter education was

60 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Independent Electoral Commission

Celebrations after a soccer match

The Bacha Re Bacha Soccer Team at 'My Vote My Score' Tournament

Tsikoane High School team

Open Air Street Rap these young people were educated on issues of voting, the processes and the importance of This is an open air street theatre on voter exercising their right to vote as valued Basotho education. It targeted young people on streets, Citizens. When given the stage, a contestant there were rappers who competed against was to freestyle and rap with anything they each other in a form of a mock session where had learned from that day’s agenda of voter each was given time to rap. This was done after education and the winner was awarded a prize.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 61 SPECIAL INITIATIVES Independent Electoral Commission

Rappers who took part in the open theatre session

Small Group Discussions country, registered voters were encouraged to exercise their voting right, non registered With this activity, voter Educators held a people were encouraged to register with the discussion on Electorate Education having Independent Electoral Commission and hence a group of people ranging from 10 to 20. In take part in the voting process. this group the voters were also shown the importance of taking part in elections in the Independent Electoral Commission, Lesotho

Small group discussions that were held during voter education in different constituencies

62 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS A-WEB

A-WEB’s Romanian Rendezvous

ugust-September, 2017 saw the Carpathian country of Romania play Ahost to 56 member-countries of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) The General Assembly took place in the Parliament Palace of Romania for three key, apex-level forums - extraordinary four new Election Management Bodies from meeting of the Executive Board, the General Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Peru and Somalia Assembly and, the International Conference on made their entry as full members of A-WEB ‘Counting the Ballots and Accounting for the along with the regional Arab EMBs Association Votes - The use of technology for enhancing the and Association of Asian Election Authorities transparency of the electoral process’. (AAEA) joining as associate members. Marking the week-long event, Romania took One of the key resolutions adopted during the over as the Chair of A-WEB (2017-19), while course of the meet involved the decision to India was elected as the Vice-Chair. A product convert A-WEB from an international NGO to a of an amendment to the A-WEB charter, the Executive Board was expanded to include (IGO). The conference on the 'The use of full-fledged Inter-Governmental Organization 21 members from the existing 13. Apart Technology for enhancing the transparency of the electoral process' saw representatives from (that involved - the inclusion of Burkina Mexico, Samoa, Argentina, the UN Electoral from the reshuffling of the Executive Board, Faso, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi and Tunisia Assistance Division, Mongolia and Iraq keep as representatives from Africa; Argentina, forward presentations on the concerned theme, Colombia, El Salvador and Paraguay from the with India detailing about the technology Americas; Bangladesh, Palestine, Taiwan and presently being used to power its electoral Uzbekistan from Asia; Albania, Belarus and process.

Croatia from Europe and, Fiji from Oceania) Source: www.eci.nic.in

Inside Nicolae Balcescu Conference Room, where the Chairperson Barbu congratulating A.K. Joti on his election meeting was held as the new Vice-Chairperson of A-WEB

Photo Source: A-WEB

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 63 EVENTS Fijian Elections Office

Fiji Launches a National Polling Venue Directory

n the morning of September 6, 2017, Chairperson of the Fijian Electoral OCommission, Suresh Chandra, launched a National Polling Venue Directory at Suva. Under section 75 of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in accordance with the legal and electoral framework. The next General Election in Fiji is scheduled in 2018. Since their appointment, the Electoral Commission decided to approach the At the moment, we anticipate to have 2,149 upcoming elections strategically. Working polling stations across the country.” towards the same, and to ensure good election While the printed volumes of the directory are for school libraries, anyone can access the management, the Fijian Election Office and published them in an annual publication. online version at the FEO website that gives identified polling venues across the country citizens directions to their allocated Polling In his address at the launch event, the Chairperson, Suresh Chandra said, “We extended a copy of the Fiji National Polling Venue. The Fijian Elections Office has already Venues Directory to each secondary school had already been working on several aspects understood that the Fijian Elections Office library during National Library Week. of the Election. We knew that the innovative and committed group of individuals at the FEO This will provide young Fijians the exposure needed our support and guidance. Hence we to elections right from school. "Through this chose the theme ‘Raising the Standards in the students will be able to identify the three preferred polling venues through this resource”, Fiji’s history, the probable locations of polling said Chandra. Delivery of Elections in Fiji’. For the first time in Source: www.feo.org.fj and published in an annual publication. venues around the country have been identified

Photo source: www.feo.org.fj

64 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS Election Commission of India

Events By the Chair Country In August Company This August, Election Commission of India hosted a number of knowledge-sharing, briefing sessions with parliamentary delegates, representatives to the United Nations, senior journalists and diplomats from across the world. A mutually rewarding exercise, the sessions were organized in association with the Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training.

ECI plays host to Permanent Representatives from the United Nations

ugust 21, 2017 saw Election Commission of India host Apermanent delegates to the United Nations from 13 countries including- Liberia, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Antigua and Barbuda, Lesotho, Belize, Paraguay, Chad, Central African Republic, Timor-Leste, Benin and Mali. Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the delegates’ election management (followed by a Q&A visit included a short briefing session on of the Commission. session) by Election Commissioner O.P Rawat Umesh Sinha along with other senior officials and Senior Deputy Election Commissioner

Photo Source: ECI

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 65 EVENTS Election Commission of India

Parliamentary Officials across the World attend Session on Election Management

rganized on August 23, 2017, the Election Commission of India hosted O51 delegates from Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ghana, Guyana, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe as a part of a session on election management in India. Attending the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and International Training programme at the Training, Lok Sabha Secretariat, the delegates were addressed by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha followed by an

the ECI. In addition to the Q&A segment, the interaction session with senior officials from delegates were also offered a glimpse of the electoral technology being implemented in India through a live demonstration of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter

Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems.

Election Management brings ASEAN Diplomats to ECI

s a part of the 11th special course organized by the Foreign Service AInstitute, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, 18 diplomats from 6 ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam) visited the

August 24, 2017. Chaired by Election Commission for a briefing session on

the Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha, the meet included an interactive segment followed by a short Q&A session with

senior officials from the ECI.

66 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS Election Commission of India

October Osmosis In continuation of the August briefing series with delegates, diplomats, journalists, parliamentary officials and representatives to the United Nations from across the world, the Election Commission of India in association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India hosted two more knowledge-sharing sessions in the month of October.

Latin American - Caribbean Scribes get a glimpse of Electoral functioning in India

rganized by the External Publicity Division, Ministry of External Affairs, in India. Held on October 4, 2017, the India for a briefing on election management OGovernment of India, 26 journalists attendees were addressed by Senior Deputy from Latin American- Caribbean countries Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha before including- Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, participating in an interaction session that Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican included a live demonstration of Indian Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Guyana, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, visited the Election Commission of systems. new Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

ECI holds briefing Session for Diplomats

articipating in the 64th Professional new electoral technology being used in India, Course for Foreign Diplomats organized the delegates interacted with Senior Deputy Pby the Foreign Service Institute, Ministry Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha and other of External Affairs, Government of India, 40 delegates from countries across the world brought to a closure with a short Q&A session. senior officials from the ECI. The meet was visited the Election Commission of India on October 25, 2017. Before getting a glance of the Source: www.eci.nic.in, Photo Source: ECI

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 67 EVENTS Election Commission of India

Election Commission of India reaches out to the youth at IIT Kanpur

t present, a major target group for ECI’s Systematic AVoter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme is the youth of the nation. A young country, India, has 30 million young adults who are eligible to vote, making it an extremely important target group for SVEEP. It is imperative that the voice of the youth is heard as they constitute a sizeable part of India’s democratic polity and its future. ECI recognizes that as the future architects of our nation, it is essential that the young citizens, who largely suffers from electoral apathy, exercise their franchise. In a step towards engaging with the youth and spreading Photo Source: IIT Kanpur voter awareness and education, the Election in their hands and donning the caps of Commission of India used the platform of national professional reporters with an eye for news, level college fests to realize its aims. For this participants of this competition wrote purpose, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) articles and created videos discussing their Kanpur’s annual cultural festival Antaragni served impassioned views on ‘Voter Education - An as a beginning point. Undermined Necessity.’ Antaragni is a four-day-long festival, attracting • Short Film Making: With the aim to participation from over 300 colleges of India persuade the masses with stories written and is one of the largest fests in the country with on celluloid, young students zealously a footfall exceeding 40,000. Besides hosting an array of creative and intellectual events and competition, attempting to convey a serious competitions, the festival also serves as a platform messageparticipated this in time the working short film on making the theme for the expression of youth opinion on social ‘Motivating the Urban Youth to Vote.’ problems. • Documentary Making: Appealing to the Identifying the opportunity that such a festival presents for an effective engagement with the documentary making competition offered young electors, ECI sponsored the prize money twojournalistic themes sideto the of participants.young filmmakers, Theme the 1 for seven competitive events revolving around on electoral culture in India required the themes of voter awareness and education. The participants to project the electoral process events included: from enrollment to election and showcase • Vox Walks: Participants interviewed the the attitude of people towards participating crowd of Antaragni and created a short in elections, while critically commenting on video compiling the same. The theme given the culture of voting amongst the citizens. to the students was ‘My First Vote – Youth Theme 2 explored the topic of inclusion in Speaks’. Memorable experiences of the elections where the entrants discussed the young were recorded and documented. participation of various marginalized groups in the country. • Journalism: Wielding the mighty pens

68 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS Election Commission of India

• Ad Making: An on the spot competition, Ad Making got the creative juices of the topics like ‘Online Voting: the way forward or workers to election officials, and discussed participants working as they tried to create opening a potential Pandora’s box’ and ‘Voter simple yet effective messages around Education - An Undermined Necessity.' Electronic Voting Machine awareness. The • Parliamentary Debate: Going on a 2 versus participants also had the choice of creating an 2 basis, the parliamentary debate provided ad that tackled voter apathy and motivated three motions to its participants. The motion Indians to vote. discussed by the participants was ‘This house • Aamne Samne: An invigorating discussion believes that compulsory voting in elections based competition, Aamne Saamne does more harm than good,’ where they was conducted in the Hindi language. It debated over the pros and cons of making imitated the style of Television debates and voting mandatory by the state. discussions where a group of 5 students Source: Election Commission of India donned various roles, from anchor, party

Photo Source: IIT Kanpur

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 69 EVENTS High National Elections Commission, Libya

BRIDGE Workshop: Preparing Media to cover Electoral Processes in Libya

n preparation for the electoral processes to use their new knowledge. While one in Libya in 2018, a series of workshops participant from the Media & Election module Itargeting 24 Libyan media representatives said that he was grateful to the organizers were held in Tunis from October 29 to for such an opportunity and recognized the November 1, 2017. The workshops, which were lack of awareness within the media regarding part of the Building Resources in Democracy, the election related concepts, terms and Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) module, processes, another participant complimented were customised to meet the needs of the the organisers on the information relayed and media in Libya. They aimed to enhance activities conducted. the professionalism and capacity of media The workshops were delivered by BRIDGE representatives in Libya in order to encourage facilitators Shubub Najeeb, accrediting fair coverage of the processes. facilitator from Iraq; Emna Zghonda, The workshops were jointly organised by the International IDEA workshop facilitator from High National Election Commission of Libya Tunisia; and Sabri F. Ali Senki, workshop (HNEC), International IDEA, and International facilitator from Libya. A trainer and a Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) media resource person from IFES Libya also supported the event preparation and Inaugural day provided an overview of the implementation. Libya. Each day focused on a specific theme. election process. Second day outlined the International IDEA and IFES continually seek to HNEC structure, roles and responsibilities promote a better understanding of the electoral and its relationship with the media. Third day cycle within the media. They also plan to explored the role of the media throughout the continue building the relationship between the electoral cycle and the last day was scheduled HNEC and media outlets in Libya, to support to involve creation of a code of conduct for credible reporting on electoral processes. To journalists. this end, and in preparation for the anticipated Three representatives from the HNEC attended 2018 electoral processes, a series of similar the event and presented their mandate and workshops will be conducted over the coming organogram, the HNEC media strategy, and the months, targeting different media houses procedures for media accreditation. including radio, print and television. The event was well-received by participants, who enjoyed the activities and looked forward Source: www.idea.int

70 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS U.S. Election Assistance Commission

November is Veterans’ Month

ovember 2017 witnessed the U.S disabilities the right to vote privately and Election Assistance Commission (EAC) independently. Npay tribute to the nation's veterans and “The best part about HAVA is that it brought active duty service members by declaring it as into focus the need to ensure that all ballots National Veterans and Military Families Month. count and that they are accessible to all The key voting accessibility resources were registered voters who have a disability. This highlighted. includes voters who are blind and those with In particular, veterans with visible and invisible limited hand dexterity. Many veterans have disabilities face considerable challenges when disabilities that require the use of accessible they go to cast a ballot. EAC is focused on accommodations secured by the passage of improving this voting process for the nation’s HAVA”, said Lee Page. heroes by highlighting best practices and He further added, "State and local jurisdictions success stories from across America. are constantly searching to expand their base Lee Page, Senior Associate Director of Advocacy of volunteers who administer/ man the polls on for Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) played Election Day and beyond. Reaching out to local an indispensible role in the development of the veterans’ groups could be a way to increase disability provisions within the Help America workforce capacity."

disability rights milestone because it was the Vote Act (HAVA). HAVA was a significant Source: www.eac.gov

first time a federal law provided voters with

Source : https://www.eac.gov/

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 71 EVENTS International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Media Campaign about Political Reform in Peru

ince the beginning of October 2017, contributions, and sanctions in case of International IDEA in Peru has been infringements. Sparticipating in the media campaign entitled ‘The Power In Your Hands: Electoral maintaining or modifying the law that Reform 2017’ in partnership with Radio • prohibitsGifts, i.e. discuss candidates the convenience from distributing of Programas del Perú (RPP) – the main radio gifts during the campaign. broadcasting station of the country with nationwide coverage, which also has a television and web cross-platform. on whether people sentenced for offenses • should/couldImpediments forbe candidatescandidates, for i.e. public a decision At present, Peru is discussing the political reform that has been demanded for more than a decade. Various topics that are expected to office. be reformed might have a very deep impact A similar campaign was carried out in 2016, • Gender quota. in the regional and municipal electoral within the framework of the general elections process of 2018 in which more than 12,000 for President and Members of Congress. The authorities will be elected nationwide. Hence, aim was to raise awareness among citizens it is relevant to position this topic as part of about the importance of casting an informed the public agenda in order to ensure citizens’ vote and, at the same time, to inform citizens participation in this process. about the representatives’ responsibilities, the The campaign aims to inform citizens about the electoral reform being implemented in Peru proposals and to alert about the dangers of candidates’ profiles, the submitted government and encourage citizens to participate in the the penetration of illicit money in electoral country’s political processes. The campaign processes. will last for 14 weeks during which 2-minute This experience reached an audience of more micro programmes will be broadcasted with than 12.5 million listeners and viewers across information, comments and interviews with the country as well as 19 million internet the team of International IDEA as well as with and social media users. Calculations for the national and international experts, with a focus on four fundamental pillars: current campaign forecast a similar outreach. Source: www.idea.int

• Financing of politics; public and private financing; prohibition of anonymous

72 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 EVENTS International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Global Launch of the Global State of Democracy planned elieving that democracy all across the The Global State of Democracy publication will globe is at a crossroads, International be launched at IDEA thons around the world. BIDEA has published ‘The Global State IDEA thons are engaging, collaborative launch of Democracy’ which assesses the state events that combine formal presentations with of democracy worldwide, with the aim of innovation labs where participants harness providing evidence-based analysis and their collective knowledge to brainstorm actionable recommendations for current innovative solutions to existing challenges threats and challenges to democracy. based on the recommendations of the All set to be launched in 9 Countries from publication. November 15, 2017 – December 12, 2017, the The launch events at various countries are as follows – Democracy’s Resilience’ and analyses a set of 15 November 2017 – Stockholm, Sweden keypublication’s challenges first to democracyedition focuses and theon ‘Exploringenabling 16 November 2017 – Uppsala University, conditions for its resilience. In addition, Uppsala, Sweden accompanying the launch of the publication 16 November 2017 – The Hague, Netherlands is the new Global State of Democracy (GSoD) 20 November 2017 – Lima, Peru indices, the evidence base for the publication. 28 November 2017 – Oslo, Norway The GSoD indices are built on an elaborate 29 November 2017 – Geneva, Switzerland conceptual framework, based on a broad 29 November 2017 – New York, USA range of attributes and sub-attributes of 30 November 2017 – Brussels, Belgium democracy and rooted in International IDEA’s 06 December 2017 – Amsterdam, Netherlands well-established State of Democracy (SoD) 06 December 2017 – Bali, Indonesia framework, and cover 155 independent 12 December 2017 – New Delhi, India countries for the period 1975–2015. Source: www.idea.ing

EVENTS Fijian Elections Office FEO appointed to A-WEB's Executive Board n september 2017, Mohammed Saneem, Election Supervisor was elected to the Zealand Electoral Network, Commonwealth IExecutive Board of Association of World Electoralboard level Network in Pacific and Islands, now in Australia, the Association New Election Bodies representing the Oceania of World Election Bodies.

Source: www.feo.org.fj includedregion on in behalf the A-WEB's of the Fijian Executive Elections Board. Office. This is the first time an Oceania seat has been A-WEB consists of 106 Election Management Bodies around the world. It also has 18 international partner agencies.

will‘I am be grateful able to to carry my colleaguesout this new in responsibilitythe pacific andregion I look for theirforward trust to andthe challenge”,confidence remarkedthat we Saneem. Since its establishment in 2014, the Fijian

Photo source: www.feo.org.fj

Elections Office is now represented at the Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 73 ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission of India

ECI rolls out schedule for Himachal Pradesh Elections ith the term of the current government on the verge of expiration, ECI on October 12, 2017 Wdeclared the detailed schedule and an overall roadmap on elections to the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh. While November 9, 2017 has been sealed as the date of polling; counting and declaration of results would take place on December 18, 2017. The year-end elections in the Hill State, known for its scenic

Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems connected with the Electroniclandscape, Votingwould Machinessee the use across of new all Voter the 68 Verifiable Assembly

Constituencies (12 Districts) along with Photo Electoral Photo: Election Commission of India Rolls, Photo Voter Slips and Voter Guides. Apart from the use of new electoral technology, the Assembly Election would also mark the State’s

first experience with polling stations manned by women and differently-abled people. Besides the mechanismprovisions of geared voter slipsfor use in byBraille registered and required Service facilities Voters. Additionally, made available in order for the to differently-abled make the electoral processcategory, a theseamless State elections and convenient would witnessexercise the for usevoters, of Electronically EVM ballot papers Transmitted being used Postal for Ballots, elections a would feature photographs of the concerned candidate. Source: www.eci.nic.in; The Indian Express

Commission draws up plan for Gujarat Elections ith the term of Gujarat’s Legislative Assembly nearing expiration, ECI on October 25, 2017, Wannounced the schedule and a broad roadmap for the State Elections. Split into two, Phase I polling would take place on the December 9, 2017 while the second phase is scheduled to take place on December 14, 2017. While Photo: Election Commission of India

stations,witnessing the the Gujarat use of Elections Voter Verifiable would seePaper the Audit use of Trail a range (VVPAT) of new machines applications including- Security Netacross (to the aid Statein the and maintenance the ETPB system of law andfor Serviceorder and Voters help along in conducting with 182 peacefulall-women elections), managed RONet polling (to integrate all the processes of election management under one IT system), E-Atlas (a GIS-based application on planning, implementation and monitoring of election related activities), SAMADHAN (an online public grievance and redress system), SUVIDHA (a single window permission/clearances system), SUGAM (an IT-based vehicle management system) et al. ECI also announced December 18, 2017 as the date of counting and declaration of results. It declared implementation of Model Code of Conduct with immediate effect. Source: www.eci.nic.in

74 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission of India

Sunil Arora appointed as the New Election Commissioner aking over on September 1, 2017, Sunil Arora’s appointment as the new Election TCommissioner helped complete the three member panel that constitutes the apex polling authority of India. The former Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi’s retirement in july had created a vacancy in the panel following the

Election Commissioner, while O.P Rawat continued inconfirmation his capacity of as Achal the Election Kumar JotiCommissioner. as the Chief

Hailing from the Rajasthan cadre of 1980 Indian Administrative Service batch, Arora, who retired from service last year, had previously served as

secretary to the Ministry of Skill Development and Photo: Election Commission of India Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Information and

key positions with Air India and the Airports Authority of India Ltd, at various points in his career spanningBroadcasting; nearly Chairman four decades, and Managing Arora was Director closely toassociated the erstwhile with Indianthe Ministry Airlines. of CorporateHaving served Affairs in

Commissioner. holding the position of Director-General before being appointed to his present office as the Election Source : Election Commission of India

ANNOUNCEMENTS Central Election Commission, Georgia Former AC Milan Defender elected as the New Mayor of Georgian capital

etired AC Milan football star and present Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, Kakha Kaladze has Rbeen declared the new mayor of Tbilisi on October 22, 2017 by the CEC. Securing 51% of the votes in the Municipal Elections, the former Champions League winner who began his political career with

Minister of Energy, outperformed Independent candidate AlekoBidzina Elisashvili Ivanishvili’s and Georgian UNM’s Zaliko Dream Udumashvili as the country’s with 4th each of them garnering 17.49% and 16.53% votes respectively.

Sources: BBC Sport; The Hindu Photo: 112.international

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 75 ANNOUNCEMENTS Federal Electoral Committee, Germany

2017 Bundestag Election results declared

election to the 19th n October 12, 2017, the Federal Electoral Committee announced the final result of the O German Bundestag in the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders Bundestag building in With voterBerlin. turnout at 76.2 % as compared to 71.5 % in 2013, the parties have obtained the following shares in the total number of valid second votes cast (order by number of votes obtained):

Name of the Party Voting Percent (2017) Voting Percent (2013) CDU Christlich Demokratische 26.8 % 34.1 % Union Deutschlands SPD Sozialdemokratische Partei 20.5 % 25.7 % Deutschlands AfD 12.6 % 4.7 %

FDP AlternativeFreie Demokratische für Deutschland Partei 10.7 % 4.8 % DIE LINKE DIE LINKE 9.2 % 8.6 % 8.9 % 8.4 %

GR�NECSU Christlich-SozialeB�NDNIS 90/GR�NE Union in 6.2 % 7.4 %

Others Bayern e.V 5.0 % 6.2 %

(2013: 1.5 %). The share of invalid second votes is 1.0 % (2013: 1.3 %), the share of invalid first votes 1.2 % pursuant to Section 1 (1) in conjunction with Section 6 of the Federal Elections Act. With 111 additional seats, the newly elected Bundestag will have 709 members (2013: 631)

seatsThe results by Land, of theincluding 2017 Bundestag the number Election of seats for won Germany by the partiesas a whole, based the on Länder their Land and the lists, individual are also providedconstituencies on the are website. available on the website of the Federal Returning Officer. The final distribution of

Source: Der Bundeswahlleiter, Germany

76 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS Independent High Electoral Commission, Iraq

IHEC announces date for 2018 Parliamentary Elections

he Independent High Electoral Commission of

TIraq (IHEC) proposed May 12, 2018 as the date of endorsementsfor the upcoming from the Parliamentary current Parliament Elections. and Before the Presidentialbeing sealed, Council. the proposed The statement, date would issued require by Gatiea series al- Zouba’i, the deputy head of the Commissioner’s Council, however, did not convey the possibility of conducting the provincial and Parliamentary elections simultaneously, a move passed with majority this August. Photo : ABC News Source: news.xinhuanet.com

Central Election Commission of the ANNOUNCEMENTS Republic of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov wins Kyrgyz Presidential Polls 2017

ecuring 54% of the votes, former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov defeated Soil tycoon Omurbek Babanov, a representative of Respublika Party to become the fifth President of the Central Asian country. Jeenbekov is representing his predecessor Almazbek Atambayev’s Social Democratic Party and set to take office on December 4, 2017. His win marks the firstSource: successful Al Jazeera; democratic Bloomberg transfer Politics of power in the country.

Photo : www.voanews.com

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 77 ANNOUNCEMENTS National Election Commission, Liberia

Presidential Run-off in Liberia pitches Ballon d’or Winner against present Vice-President

ith neither of the top contenders

votes for victory, the run for the Wsecuring the required 50% of President’s seat between soccer star George Weah (representing Congress for Democratic Change) and veteran Unity Party candidate

and current Liberian Vice- President- Joseph roundBoakai, of is elections, all set for which a second would round, decide scheduled the to be held on November 7, 2017. The first Photo : GNN Liberia

atsuccessor 29.1%. of the first female elected head of state in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, witnessed Weah lead with 39% of the votes followed by Boakai Source: The Guardian

ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission, Nepal Host of EMBs, International Organizations set to serve as Observers in Nepal Polls ith the Nepalese Legislative Elections in sight, the Election WCommission forwarded invites to Chief Election Commissioners of South

PakistanAsian countries to observe namely the federalIndia, Bangladesh, and provincial Sri polls.Lanka, Additionally, the Maldives, Election Bhutan, Management Afghanistan and

have also been invited to serve as observers Bodies of Korea, Japan, Australia and Thailand during the polling period. Apart from Election Photo : www.news24headlines.com

also shown interest in studying the polls Jimmy Carter) and the European Union have foundedManagement by the Bodies, former the American Carter Center President (a scheduled for November-December, 2017. non-governmental, not-for-profit organization Source: The Kathmandu Post

78 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission, Nepal

Nepal EC issues Poll Directives to the Government

he Election Commission of Nepal issued a 27-point directive to the Government Ton matters pertaining to infrastructure, staff, security arrangement, code of conduct,

Housefinancial of resourcesRepresentatives and other and relatedthe Provincial factors Assembly.required for As the directed upcoming by the elections Commission, to the the issued directives and connected communications are to be implemented with immediate effect by the government. Photo : www.myrepublica.com

Source: The Kathmandu Post; www.myrepublica.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission of Pakistan

By-Election in Peshawar takes to Electronic Voting

y-elections to the NA-4 constituency of Peshawar (scheduled for October 26, 2017) would witness the use of electronic voting employed for electoral use, the Election Commissionermachines for the of firstKhyber time. Pakhtunkhwa Before being would preside over a demonstration sessionalong with conducted other key by polling the technical officials staff of the ECP. Pilot runs and testing sessions Bwould be carried out before the actual implementation of the new system that is expected to reduce the duration of voting to 18 seconds. Photo : The Nation Source: www.geo.tv

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 79 ANNOUNCEMENTS Election Commission of Pakistan

Peshawar By-Election goes Mobile

fter a successful run in Karachi by-elections

Peshawar NA-4 constituency would see the Ato PS-114 in July this year, by-elections to use of special mobile phones to transmit poll results

has been developed to receive the results from each pollingto the concerned station, thereby returning making officer. the A process new software faster and

newefficient. mechanism Before goingto ensure for polls, glitch-free a training implementation. session would be conducted to acquaint the Presiding Officers with the Photo : www.geo.tv Source: www.geo.tv

ANNOUNCEMENTS Electoral Commission, South Africa

Simon Mamabolo appointed as the New IEC Chief

he former deputy Chief Electoral appointment was marked by the launch of the Mosotho Moepya as the head of South MyIECthe provincial online portalelectoral and officer campaign for Gauteng. to add and His TOfficer- Simon Mamabolo succeeded Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission update addresses of registered South African on October 11, 2017. Serving as the acting voters-a preliminary task before the upcoming head of the election management body since National and Provincial elections of 2019. March, Mamabolo had previously served as

Sources: Business Day; www.htxt.co.za

Photo : Mail and Guardian

80 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 ANNOUNCEMENTS State Election Commission, Slovenia

Slovenia Heads for Presidential Run-off

ith none of the candidates securing

Presidential Election is all set for a second Wthe required 50% mark, Slovenia’s and the present mayor of Kamnik - Marjan Sarec. Enjoyinground runoff an almost between celebrity the incumbent status, Pahor Borut led Pahor the comedian and political satirist known for his stage first round with 47% votes while Sarec, a former of votes. Contesting as an independent for his second term,persona Slovenia’s Ivan Serpentinsek only politician finished to hold second all the with top 25% three Presidential positions (Speaker of the National Photo : Reuters Assembly, Prime Minister and President) is projected to face the former media personality on November 12, 2017.

Source: Reuters; The Washington Post

ANNOUNCEMENTS Electoral Commission, Uganda Uganda rolls out 2017 Council Elections schedule n October 10 statement from the Electoral Commission announced Athe registration dates for the 2017 elections to Ugandan Local Council I (Village- level), II (Parish-level) and Women Council. The polls are scheduled to take place on November 21, 2017 eligible citizens have been given a window between October 26 and October 30 to get registered for the upcoming polls to the concerned administrative units.

Sources: www.ec.or.ug; AllAfrica.com Photo :VOA News

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 81 PUBLICATIONS Voter Information, Communication & Education Network (VoICE.NET)

Third Issue of VoICE International released

hird issue of VoICE International was released Tby A. K. Joti, Chief Election Commissioner of India in a small yet impressive ceremony at Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission of India head quarter at New Delhi.

Voter Information, Communication, Education The Commission and other dignitaries from ECI e-launch and release third issue of Network (VoICE.NET) is a global VoICE International knowledge network for sharing knowledge, resources and expertise In his key note address, A.K. Joti, Chief Election on voter education. It comprises of 23 members Commissioner of India, appreciated the efforts from Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and of the editorial team and expressed his intent reputed international organizations. VoICE. to expand VoICE.NET in terms of its members. NET was launched during the International “We will invite all the 106 members of A-WEB Conference on Voter Education held in New to join VoICE.NET”, he said. He reiterated Delhi in October 2016. The content for VoICE adopting and adapting good practices. “The International, the quarterly global magazine aim is to share the information, initiatives and on VoICE.NET, is contributed by countries as efforts which have been successful and turn diverse as United Kingdom, Moldova, USA, Indonesia, and Canada besides the members of them into practice”, the CEC said. VoICE.NET. O.P. Rawat, Election Umesh Sinha, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Election Commissioner of India, emphasised India who is also the Editor-in- on the need to take Chief, VoICE International and Executive Secretary, VoICE.NET. He also suggested described VoICE.NET as “a single includinglearnings theto the citizens field. window through which we can perspectives (in future view other countries’ efforts in issues) for richer and voter education”. He informed more relevant content. The theme for the next VoICE International focused onthat young the first and quarterly future voters. issue of VoICE international The second issue detailed on (October- December) Voter Education for Enhancing was proposed as Gender Participation. The third 'Enabling Overseas issue, being e-launched as Electors and Service well as released, was based on Voters'. the theme ‘Special Initiatives for Enhancing Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)’. http://voicenet.in/voiceinternational.htm

82 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL IDEA

INTERNATIONAL IDEA / IFE Voting from Abroad: Introduction Introduction A Handbook by Nadja Braun and Maria Gratschew

1. Background International IDEA The globalization of political, personal and professional life, the spread of democracy throughout the world and an increase in migration for many different contributed to an increasing interest in voting rights for refugees, diplomats, reasons members have allof the armed forces serving overseas and other people who are temporarily or permanently he ability of overseas voters to cast a vote has been a concern absent from their own country. While the constitutions of many countries guarantee the right to vote for all citizens, in reality voters who are outside their home country when elections take place are often disenfranchised because of a lack of procedures enabling since a long time due to complicated electoral design and them to exercise that right. The following chapters examine the theoretical and practical issues surrounding external voting, map existing provisions worldwide, and contain management. As the number of countries holding democratic examples of how external voting is implemented in different countries. T International IDEA is well suited to take on the task of producing this Handbook. Being elections has increased, it has become much more salient. More the source for global and comparative electoral and institutional knowledge, tools and materials, IDEA has in this long-awaited Handbook sought to bring together existing knowledge and experience of external voting and to make them available to stakeholders over, presently more people are travelling and working around of the electoral process who could benefit from knowing more about whether and how their decisions will affect and have implications for external and internal voters. the globe. As elections take place in countries in transition after Theoretical and practical approaches meet in this Handbook. Stakeholders such as legislators, election administrators, politicians, government officials, academics, the media, election observers and others appointed to evaluate or design external voting processes have access to very few or only inadequate resources to guide them in their work. As there is currently no likelihood of general, global common electoral standards or guidelines being developed, the gathering of existing knowledge and the sharing of it's important for refugees and the population living abroad to resources and experience between electoral management bodies (EMBs) becomes key to participateauthoritarian in therule, electoral and even process. more so At after the sameviolent time, conflicts, questions the enhancement of future external voting activities. The aim is that this Handbook will engage stakeholders in debate and further discussion of principle have emerged: exactly who has the right to be on the topic in order to improve present structures, future readiness and practice in

represented, and how? 1

External voting is not always easy to design and implement. It raises issues of cost and of practical administration alongside the political considerations as well as considerations of representation. Many approaches have been adopted. Wherever they have resulted in success, this has often made a contribution to the credibility and the legitimacy of electoral events.

International IDEA and the Federal Electoral Institute of Mexico (Instituto Federal Electoral, IFE) have come together to produce ‘Voting from Abroad’ Handbook in 2007. The Handbook combines IDEA’s experience in producing global knowledge on electoral matters in a practical form for democracy builders on the ground, and the ground-breaking work of the IFE in the course of the introduction of external voting in Mexican presidential elections.

INTERNATIONAL IDEA / IFE The Handbook maps, explains and compares external voting provisions

FROM ABROAD 1. External voting: VOTING a comparative overview worldwide. It is a unique comparative product for voting, on a very restrictive basis, is Cambodia, where external voting was allowed for Carlos Navarro Fierro, Isabel Morales and Maria Gratschew* elections to its Constituent Assembly in 1993, but only if voters had first travelled to Cambodia to register. Tokelau also falls into this category: here external voting was only anyone involved in improving used on a limited basis in its independence referendum in 2006.

present electoral structures, This overview attempts to map out the different practices in external voting, and to describe and group some of them. It should be noted that the process of categorizing these builds on 115 cases of external voting and, while it aims to describe all practices, 1. Introduction planning for external voting some may seem simplified or may not be represented at any great length. Annex A This chapter presents a comparative overview of external voting practices worldwide. It provides more detailed information country by country. is based on 214 countries and related territories. They include all UN member states as well as territories which, although they have a different juridical status, share a common processes, or participating in feature: they elect their own authorities and are not represented in a parliament or legislative body of the state to which they belong. A full list of countries and territories debate. 2. The countries which have current provisions for external voting and the external voting provisions in each of them is presented at annex A of this As table 1.1 shows, external voting provisions are widespread throughout the world. Handbook. External voting is most common in Europe, but is found in every region of the globe. The research shows that 115 states and territories have legal provisions which allow their All regions have in common that a majority of the countries and territories have external electors to cast a vote from abroad (as of May 2007). This figure includes five which have The Handbook discusses voting voting. legal provisions in place to allow external voting but, for different reasons, it has not yet been implemented. by overseas electors in detail. Examination of the types of countries that have external voting also shows that they Annex A and the information provided in this chapter only include reference to countries are very different in the level of socio-economic development: they include both and territories where external voting provisions exist for national elections or national Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries referendums. Countries and territories where provisions for external voting exist only at It includes the history and a and countries from the less developed regions of the world. While there is no obvious local level have not been included. correlation between external voting provisions and socio-economic or political features, A small number of countries have had legal provisions on external voting but only global comparative overview on these factors remain important in the debates and decision making related to external applied them exceptionally at one time in their history. There are cases where external voting provisions and practices, and are often reflected in the challenges or complexities voting has been used at one time in the history of a country or territory but where it is faced. The countries also differ in the length of time for which their democracies have no longer continued or provided for in the legal framework. Eritrea and East Timor are external voting, the legal framework been established, their roots, and the stability and consolidation of their institutions examples of such cases. External voting was allowed in the referendums related to their independence, in 1993 and 1999, respectively. Another example of earlier use of external and democratic practices. They include well-established democracies along with the surrounding it, implementation, emerging or restored ones, and even some countries that can only doubtfully be classified as democratic. *Brett Lacy assisted with research for this comparative overview and for Annex A. voter rights, observations of existing Table 1.1: Countries and territories with current provisions for external voting Country 11 practices and way forward with Region Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte Africa (28) d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, possibilities in online voting. Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Zimbabwe

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Falkland Americas (16) Islands, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, United States, Venezuela

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Asia (20) Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 83

12 PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL IDEA

Dialogues on Voluntary Codes of Conduct for Political Parties in Elections: A Facilitator's Guide lections, if they are inclusive and fair, can have a

democracies. The competitive nature of elections can Estabilizing effect on post-conflict and transitioning

Thehowever conduct provide of political entry points parties for is violencecentral to and the conflict, protection ofwhich peace can building derail peace and democratic and the first efforts. steps Politicalin a transition. parties can either fuel electoral violence, or, help to deter or resolve violent situations. Codes of conduct have proved

their commitments to fair play in elections. This guide capturesparticularly lessons useful learned in enabling from politicalall continents parties for to facilitators reaffirm of voluntary codes of conduct. It offers a menu of options and case studies from across the globe, with a focus on the importance of process and facilitation as much as the content of the agreements. The authors of this guide suggest that a code of conduct for political parties—particularly a voluntary code which by its nature is not legally binding—is more likely to achieve its goals when produced as part of a consultative dialogue with the parties.

The guide is the result of collaboration between the Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Both institutions hope to contribute to the efforts of those working as honest brokers of dialogues on democratic reform and peacebuilding, as well as the development of codes of conduct for political parties in elections around the world.

Regulating Political Party Financing: Some Insights from the Praxis he Dutch Institute for Multi-party Democracy, in partnership with the International Foundation for TDemocracy and Elections and the Tanzania Center for Democracy, held a conference from 10 to 12 July 2012 in Tanzania, entitled ‘The legal framework governing political parties: the subject of party funding’. This conference promised an unique forum for the Dutch Institute for Multi-party Democracy, the International IDEA and their partners to review the issue of political party funding as an important reform question facing many democracies. The present report presents the main issues discussed, questions raised, conclusions and lessons learned. The report also includes studies that enriched those discussions for countries: Burundi, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania.

84 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL IDEA

Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook uilding trust and professionalism in organizing the electoral process remains a major challenge Bfor election organizers (LPP). Many LPPs face fundamental design questions as they seek to work better: how should election organisers be formed to ensure that they can act independently? How do election organizers deal with stakeholders such as media, political parties, and donors? How can election organizers assess their performance and use experience to build sustainable elections?

‘Electoral Design: The IDEA International Handbook’ is written for election organizers and others involved in the development of professional, sustainable and cost effective elections that can lead to free, fair and credible elections. This book is a comparative study that presents good practices and technical skills from around the world on the

finances, structures and evaluations of election organizers. Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers, A Revised Edition his new and updated edition of the Women in Parliament: Away from Figures examines the three Tmain stages of women's access to legislative bodies. The guide examines the obstacles that women face for entering Parliament, whether they are institutional, political, socio- economic or ideological and offers options to overcome these constraints, such as the reform of electoral systems and the provision of special procedures such as quota quotas. The

politics when they are elected to parliament, an institution oftenguide dominatedalso outlines by strategies males. for women in how they influence

The guide includes case studies from Argentina, Indonesia, Ecuador, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Rwanda, Sweden and

regions of the Arab world, LatinFrance, America as well and as profiles South of Asia, and a case study from the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 85 PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL IDEA

Global Passport to Modern Direct Democracy n a democracy, formal popular votes are important to the exercise of people power. Traditionally, in most representative Idemocracies, the power of citizens to make decisions at the ballot box was restricted to the elections of other people and

and more countries have adopted new possibilities and channels forparties citizens to offices to make and their parliament. voices heard—even However, in betweenrecent years election more days.

The Global Passport to Modern Direct Democracy offers basic information about the tools of direct democracy. It

recommendations on how to use initiatives, referendums and plebiscites.introduces key definitions, describes various tools, and includes

International IDEA supports the development and use of democratic procedures and practices around the world. Its Direct Democracy Database is an unique resource for democratic practitioners, administrators and observers. This Passport complements the 2008 publication, Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook.

India International Institute of Democracy PUBLICATIONS & Election Management

How the World Votes: A Compendium of Voting Methods in Democracies oting Method is a fundamental aspect of election administration and management. The fashion in which a Vvoter exercises his/her right to vote, keeping in mind the component of elections. With the advancement of technology quotients of secrecy, verifiability and transparency, is a crucial in our contemporary times, voting methods have also escalated new heights with newer innovations entering the world of electoral processes. Selection of an appropriate voting method which is trustworthy for all stakeholders in a participatory electoral democracy, however, constitutes a permanent debate among experts and policy makers of election administration across the globe.

Different democracies have adopted different voting

conditions and legal-constitutional provisions. The Centre methods over time depending on their specific historical for Innovation, Research and Documentation (CIRD) of the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) has taken the initiative to document and bring together the different voting methods adopted and currently practiced in democracies across the world.

86 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PUBLICATIONS Election Commission of India

‘Mainstreaming of Electoral Literacy through Educational Institutions, Organizations and Communities in India (Conceptual Framework

MAINSTREAMING OF ELECTORAL LITERACY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL and Action Plan) INSTITUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES IN INDIA Project Document on Electoral oung and Future voters constitute a sizeable part of India’s Literacy Clubs in India democratic polity. As per the Census 2011, there were 14.2 crore (Framework and Action Plan) Yyoung people in the age group 14-19 in India. The young and future voters, constitute a sizeable part of India’s democratic polity and its future. Evidence based on international practices suggests that electoral literacy supported by civic education, if introduced at a young

Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi 110001 age,Election helps Commission in confident, of informed India, in dueand recognitionethical electoral of this participation. fact set mainstreaming of electoral literacy as a focus area under its Strategic Action Plan 2016-25. Taking forward the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan, the Commission developed a comprehensive interaction with stakeholders including the Central Government, the State Governments, National and State level Premier Educational Institutions and Experts besides setting up ‘Working Group’ on the subject. The Commission also organized an International Conference on ‘Voter Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical Participation' (October, 2016) and International Seminar on ‘Strategies for Empowering Young and Future Voters’ (January, 2017) besides setting up VoICE.NET platform for sharing global voter education resources for appreciating the best international practices and developing a robust framework for electoral literacy for the future and new voters in India. The outcome of all efforts in this direction is the report ‘Main streaming of Electoral Literacy through Educational Institutions,

Part A Organizations and Communities in India (Conceptual Framework 1. Background and Action Plan).’ The report essentially includes the following way

The importance of developing the practice of citizenship development for electoral participation is vital to investment in future of democracy. Citizenship development in a democracy is forward for achieving the objectives: about developing effective electoral engagement, participation, making informed choices and ethical ballot decisions. In the given context, one of the key goals of society is to have an active democratic citizenry originating in integrated civic and voter education and electoral participation right from a young age. Young and Future Voters have been in focus across the (i) Introduction of Electoral Literacy in Curricula at the School democracies of the world for larger electoral participation through well designed electoral 1.1 literacyPopulation programs. of Young and future voters 14.2 Crore young people in the age group 14-19 in India. level and above (including colleges, universities etc).

As per the Census 2011, there are Given the registration and voting age of 18, there is a sizeable voter age population at 18-19 years besides an equally large population of the future voters in the age group 14-17 who (ii) Setting-up Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in all educational would become voters every year next. As per the Census Data 2011, there are 9.68 Crore children in the age-group 14-17 years with 6.84 Crore in rural and 2.83 Crore in urban areas. Of these 6.97 Crore were enrolled in schools, with 4.76 Crore in rural and 2.21 Crore in urban. institutions starting from Secondary School Level and above Also Census Data 2011, reveals that there are 30.52 Crore children in the age-group 6-17 years with 22.17 Crore in rural and 8.34 Crore in urban areas, of which 24.01Crore were enrolled in schools, with 17.14 Crore in rural and 6.86 Crore in urban schools. The young and future for engaging especially the future and new voters through 1.2 voters,The Voice demonstratedly, of Young People;constitute Timely a sizeable Guidance part of India’s into Electoraldemocratic Participation polity and its future.through Electoral Literacy hands on experience.

It is imperative that young people’s voice is heard, their interests for electoral participation encouraged through careful study and investment in the future of democracy. While today’s (iii) Establish ELCs for future and new voters not covered under youth is the most connected in history, their potential in creating electoral awareness and educating and engaging the communities, peer group and future generation needs to be appreciated and harnessed. Investment focusing on educating, engaging and empowering them the formal educational institutions. through well designed strategic interventions in electoral literacy would help in generating a population capable of comfortable and confident electoral participation besides exercising informed and ethical ballot decisions. Election Commission of India has included sharp focus 1.3 andVoter mainstreaming Education in of India electoral literacy for this segment under its Strategic Plan 2016-2025. A copy of the report has been shared with the Minister of Human

The obligation and guidance for voter education for the participating States stem from the Resource Development for including electoral literacy in the international treaties such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other related documents of the United Nations. The mandate of the ECI for voter education emanates from ab initio Part XV of the Constitution covering Articles 324 to 329 and the law that flows from the said school and college curriculum. Constitutional provisions. The concept of universal suffrage and electoral participation can. Tobe fully realized only by empowering voters through7 well designed initiatives in voter education. Awareness and information campaigns have been a part of the electoral exercise

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 87 PERSPECTIVES Ballot Stories An Ode to the Ballot Papers Originating from the Italian ‘Ballotta’ meaning ‘a little ball’, which were used in Renaissance Venice as means of ensuring secrecy during voting, the meaning and usage of the word Ballot has been expanded across the world becoming synonymous with elections. Derived from a system prevalent in ancient Greece where pebbles were used as voting instruments and an urn served as the Ballot Box, this issue of VoICE International takes you on the journey of Ballot Papers. An electoral trailblazer despite the adoption of electronic voting systems in numerous countries, Ballot Stories feature a selection of Ballot Papers once used or, presently being used by the member-countries of VoICE.NET.

Australia

88 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PERSPECTIVES Ballot Stories Brazil

Fiji

Canada

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 89 PERSPECTIVES Ballot Stories Georgia Kenya

India

Mexico

90 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PERSPECTIVES Ballot Stories

Namibia Nepal

Uganda

Sri Lanka

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 91 PERSPECTIVES Ballot Stories South Africa Pakistan

Philippines USA

Source: AceProject

92 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PERSPECTIVES Vignettes

Vignettes from the International Conference

s voting just a right, a duty or a voluntary action? Or is it an empowering collective Ijourney taken up by a large number of people deciding not only the fate of the candidate but their own too? Undoubtedly, participation in the democratic and electoral processes is integral to the successful running of any democracy and the very basis of wholesome democratic elections. This realization on the importance of the power of the fundamental right to vote as well as the difference it can make to their lives and the organized an International Conference on nation makes the voter the central actor in Voter Education for Inclusive, Informed and democratic election process. Ethical Participation on October 19–21, 2016 at Who the voter decides to vote for is their New Delhi, India. Voter education is the most individual choice and decision, but the voter appropriate way to improve participation in a democracy and thus the need of the hour. in the election process. Can we empower, inform,should surelyengage, and and definitely facilitate participate the voter to do Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical so? Can we understand their reasons and ParticipationThe film on International covers the three Conference day conference. on Voter perceptions, beliefs and motivations, barriers It talks about the efforts and initiatives taken by and challenges, experiences as also their habits, the participant countries to create an informed contexts and contours that shape their decision electoral base in their country so that the voter to cast or not to cast their vote? can make the right choice. Thus inclusive, informed and ethical voter Following were the objective of the conference education needs to be imparted by the Election Management Bodies across the world. Hence, Election Commission of India which were encapsulated in the film:

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 93 PERSPECTIVES Vignettes

support inclusive, informed and ethical • electoralTo look at participation. policies and practices that can

in supporting informed and ethical • participationTo assess the inimpact electoral of voter democracy. education

grand success with the participant countries sharingThe film knowledge showcases onhow voter the educationconference with was one a another. Moreover, with an aim to learn from each other, VoICE.NET - a global knowledge network on voter education was launched as a the best practices by EMBs part of New Delhi Declaration. towards promoting inclusive, informed • andTo study ethical electoral participation; identify the roles that different stakeholders can play ; assess challenges related to voter education and ways to tackle them.

electoral literacy through curricula • andTo explore extra-curricular ways and inmeans educational to impart institutions.

of imparting electoral literacy to • populationTo explore successfuloutside formal methods sector of educational institutions.

education. • To explore role of technology in voter Greetings from the Electoral Commission of Uganda. I have watched the movie of the International Conference of Oct Movie available at 2016. It is a good movie, good picture quality, covering all the http://voicenet.in/icvideo.htm major events. Thank you and your team for the great work. It has indeed brought back the memories of the Conference and what an experience we had. Regards to all. Sekabembe K. Peninah Principal Election Officer

94 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017 PERSPECTIVES Vignettes

A Ballot is stronger than the Bullet

lection Commission of India is on its expedition to attain 100 % voter turnout Ein the upcoming elections. Under the campaign, ‘No Voter should be left behind’, ECI is striving to spread awareness among all stakeholders of the world’s largest democracy. One of the challenging dimensions is to ensure electoral participation of the service voters. A force that is busy protecting the nation around-

for the national security, protecting country’s presentthe-clock, must always have ready a say to in sacrifice the future their of the lives the service voters in the country, which include nation. ECI has introduced a campaign with the people serving in Central Reserve Police Force, slogan ‘Teri awaaz bhi jaruri, Tera vote bhi Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo – Tibetan Border jaruri’ to connect to the service voters of the nation. State Armed Police Force, Central Industrial SecurityPolice, Border Force, Security National Force, Security Assam Guard, rifles, and Border Road Organization. The movie elucidates the process of voting through postal ballot or proxy vote. The movie introduces Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and the website for

that have been launched recently by Election Commissionservice voters of (http://servicevoter.nic.in/) India.

Swasthika, Indian Air Force said, “I voted throughMotivating postal the community,ballot, it depends Flying on Officer the spirit of

underlines the fact that voting must not be an option.your involvement After all, as in Abraham the democracy.’’ Lincoln Thestated film ‘A the process of voting for a service personnel. It ballot is stronger than the bullet’. aimsThe film to spread ‘Service awareness Voters and on ETBPS’ elections explains among

Movie available at http://servicevoter.nic.in/Images/MediaContent/Service_Voter_Film_5_ minutes_ENGLISH.mp4

Oct-Dec 2017 VoICE International 95 PERSPECTIVES Glossary & Quiz Glossary 1. Runoff: Applied primarily in the context of a express an opinion for or, against a proposal/ public questions especially on the choice of government. Having garnered a negative whichtwo-round hadn’t electoral produced system, a clear runoff result signifies in favour the connotation because of its close association offinal any contest, one candidate/contestant. election that decides an earlier one with undemocratic political systems, plebiscites, as opposed to referendums which can be This system is used for presidential elections in initiated by citizens as well, are usually put into countries like, Afghanistan, Argentina, Austria, motion by the governmental authority. Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Source: Merriam Webster; www.ukandeu.ac.uk; Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, www.differencebetween.net Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, 4. Chad: With the US Presidential Elections of Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Zimbabwe etc. 2000 credited for its notoriety, Chads refer to Source: Merriam Webster small pieces of paper that are created when a hole is punched in a ballot. Known for having 2. Direct Recording Electronic: A variant of affected the results in Florida, punch card e-voting equipment (along with optical ballot systems were withdrawn from electoral scanning machines), Direct Recording Electronic machines consist of a touch screen connected to a computer that records the cast ballots and puncheduse post-2000 ballots as (hanging/fat/pregnant it became difficult for polling chads) stores the data in its memory. At the close of duringofficials counting. to take into consideration incorrectly polls, data across voting locations are compiled Source: www.bbc.com tally. Data transmission is done via removable 5. Coattail Effect: The term implies the ability and portablein a central devices computer or, through which calculatesa computer the final network. At present, DRE voting machines are attract votes and support for other candidates used for certain elections in the United States, runninginfluence on of the a popular same party candidate ticket tofor gather lower and Belgium, Brazil, Venezuela etc. Source: AceProject; Britannica.com offices.Source: www.politicaldictionary.com 3. Plebiscite: A vote by which the members of a certain electorate (a country or, a district)

Quiz

1. Known for having spent time equivalent to 168 Mexico, in the 2008 comedy movie Swing Vote, days in space, David Alexander Wolf is widely whose vote holds the key to decide the next regarded as a veteran astronaut, physician President of the United States? and electrical engineer. Having donned both 4. Closely associated with the children’s American and Russian spacesuits, what exactly programme strand- The Den, Dustin the Turkey did David Wolf do in 1997 that catapulted is also known for representing his country- him to worldwide fame and a place in VoICE Ireland, in the Eurovision Song Contest of 2008 International? apart from serving as a UNICEF ambassador. 2. Beginning with a pilot project in the Municipal Elections of 2005, which northern European contested two of Ireland’s Presidential Elections winningAlthough thousands not an official of votes candidate, in 1997. Dustin What extend the provision of voting over the internet exactly was Dustin the Turkey? country became the first nation in the world to when a part of its 2007 Parliamentary Elections 5. Why is April 27 celebrated as Freedom Day in was carried out through the online medium? South Africa?

3. Which Hollywood star played the role of Bud

Johnson, a laidback,1994. in day free-wheelerthis on conducted from were New elections non-racial post-apartheid, first The 5. puppet A 4. Costner Kevin 3.

1. He became the first American to vote from space when he cast his ballot for the 1997 Local Elections of Texas. 2. Estonia Estonia 2. Texas. of Elections Local 1997 the for ballot his cast he when space from vote to American first the became He 1.

96 VoICE International Oct-Dec 2017