University of Cape Town s4

UCT ELECTION COMMISSION VOTE COUNTING GUIDELINES, 2013

STATUS OF GUIDELINES “The Election Commission must provide guidelines for conduct for those attending the vote counting.” Clause 115, Election Regulations.

ATTENDANCE AT VOTE COUNTING “113. The following persons, as determined by the Election Commission may attend vote counting:

(1) members of the Election Commission;

(2) members of the Election Operations Office;

(3) such other persons appointed by the Election Commission for the purpose of vote counting.

114. The following persons may apply to the Election Commission for permission to attend vote counting with observer status –

(1) members of the SRC or Faculty Councils who are not candidates standing for election;

(2) one member of a candidate’s support team or his/her campaign manager.” (Election Regulations)

VOTE COUNTERS : Vote Counting procedure 1. Vote-counters are high school learners and any other persons appointed by the Election Commission. 2. Each terminal will be staffed by two counters. 1. Counter A will handle the batch while counter B will capture the information. 2. Counter A will read each ballot, ensuring that the ballot contains: 1* student number; 2* date of birth 3* maximum of number of votes: Council CSC EBE HSSC HSC LSC SSC SR C Total Seats 10 10 12 12 9 10 17 Max to vote for 7 7 8 8 6 7 11

3. The minimum number of candidates to be voted for is zero “0”. 4. Counter A will read out the number next to the candidate who was voted for. Counter B will enter the numbers specified.

1 5. After 10 batches have been completed, the counters may swap roles. Completed batches will be submitted to the Election Officers or the Chief Electoral Officer. 6. If you are unsure about capturing or any ballot, direct questions to the Electoral Officer, Edwina or to staff members, Christine and Sifiso. They are the only people to answer questions. 7. Counters are not to leave before the counting process is completed.

DECISIONS ON VOTE COUNTING OF PAPER AND ELECTRONIC BALLOTS (Extracted from Clauses 127 and 132) The decisions about whether a vote is valid, invalid or spoilt must be determined by the Election Commission, using the following guidelines –

(1) A ballot must contain a voter’s student number, date of birth and no more than the maximum number of votes to be valid.

(2) A paper ballot must be regarded as invalid where -

(2.a) the paper ballot is not supplied by the Election Commission;

(2.b) the paper ballot has been defaced or marked in such a way that it is not reasonably possible to decipher or to determine the voter’s choice;

(2.c) the requirements of subsection (1) are invalid or cannot be verified;

(3) An electronic ballot must have been accessed by a voter’s username and password and contain no more than the maximum number of votes to be valid.

(4) If a voter has voted more than once on paper ballot or electronically and on paper ballot and for the same candidates on each occasion, then one ballot may be regarded as valid and the remainder invalid.

(5) If a voter has voted more than once on paper ballot or electronically and on paper ballot but the votes cast are different, then one ballot may be regarded as valid but spoilt and the remainder as invalid. The spoilt ballot will count towards the poll but the individual votes towards the candidates will not be counted.

RULES FOR OBSERVERS 1. Observers for 2013 are selected support team members and other persons appointed by the Election Commission. 1. Observers are not to participate or in any way interfere with the counting process. This includes the following: 4* Observers are not to provide any suggestions regarding the counting process. 2 5* Observers are not allowed to direct comments to vote counters. 6* Observers may not handle ballot papers or boxes or may not staff any machine being used for the capturing process. 2. Observers will direct any queries to the Chief Electoral Officer. 3. Observers may only observe the capturing process. 4. Observers may not leave the venue until vote-counting is completed. 5. Observers may arrive late but may not leave early. 6. Observers may not use any means to communicate with candidates or other persons outside the venue. 7. Observers not abiding by these conditions will be asked to leave the venue immediately.

DECLARATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROMOTION OF CODE OF CONDUCT

I, ……………………………………………………….agree to abide by the Election Regulations and rules outlined by the Chief Electoral Officer. I undertake not to divulge the outcome of the Elections to any person prior to the results being released by the Election Commission.

Failure to abide by this rule set by the Election Commission, will result in disciplinary action.

Signed …………………………………………..

3 Date ………………………………………………

Student Number or Staff Number…………………………………….