To recap: In the first and second round of the presidential election, the counting of ballots took place at the polling station. The ballots were then sealed inside a ballot box and transferred to the district tabulation center; the final stop was the national tabulation center in Dili. I hate to be describing this process in the past tense, but yesterday the National Parliament amended the electoral law, eliminating counting at the polling station level.
On paper it can be hard to imagine the importance of this first level of counting. On voting day, however, it is clear. Kids run between polling stations writing down numbers, young people press against each other to see the counting (see photo) – often breaking out in shouts if the official stumbles. The counts that I have observed have been highly charged, intense.
Watching the counting off Comoro Road I ran into a friend and we began chatting. I was promptly told to shut up by the young man to my right. His territorial, defensive desire to see (and hear) every vote counted is why counting should be accessible, and for me defines the relationship that voters should have to their electoral process – one of ownership. 
The primary argument for counting at the station level is transparency. The voter sees the process, and gains trust in the system by observing for him- or herself the professionalism and diligence of the poll workers. Counting at the polling station builds confidence and educates voters. It involves more people in the process. Changing the the law mid-way throught the electoral cycle removes this ability to observe, potentially increasing distrust and opening up the majority party to allegations of fraud.Counting at the polling stations also lets people know their station’s results immediately; surprisingly, this was used as an argument for changing the law. As the FRETILIN press release stated: “The amendment will mean that no one will know how the people in each suco voted. This will reduce the risk of intimidation and violence for voters." Security arguments aside, district counting will delay – perhaps indefinitely – the reporting of individual polling station results in remote communities.
Elections can seem huge and abstract – not only in a new democracy, but also in the United States or, I imagine, in Australia. The challenge of a democracy is for the voter to see or believe in the connection between his or her ballot and the outcome. The farther that the Timorese government pulls the process away from the people, the weaker that connection will become.
I have never been so proud to be told to quiet down, and I don’t want to see that fever cool.
Photos: People watching the counting process.
7 comments:
Well so much for transparency and participatory democracy.
What has becomes quite obvious by now is that unable to influence the voters by democratic means Mari Alkatiri is seeking for other ways of swinging people's will in his favour.
Vote rigging in favour of Fretilin's candidate was a fact in some polling sations around the country now this ammendment will make it possible to also rig it along the way to the district centres.
If anyone had any doubts that Mari and his clique were just interested in perpetuating their power rather than in the welfare of the people and respect for their sovereign will those doubts are well and truly gone.
Part of the amendments to electoral laws made includes punishing (fines and jail sentences)for those involved in rigging, buying votes, intimidation, inducing of voters, abuse of power by officials, tampering with ballot papers etc. so if there is evidence of any of those sort of stuff people like you can act on it.
Its good to talk about vote rigging but it should be backed up with solid evidence.
What is Horta's opinion regarding these changes? He's vocal if something "suspicious".
My view that there may be a loss of a sense of participation but there is also the security concerns that are valid. We sit in Dili all comfortable but there are people out there with guns who can easilly threaten people to vote for whom they want.
Hi,
Thanks for the comments, especially the additional information about the additions to the electoral law.
I believe that the change in the counting process is a sincere attempt to make the polls more secure. This appears to be a classic case of balancing - or shifting the balance of - two important values: security and transparency.
My clear preference would be to look for solutions that do not place these values in opposition.
- Kate
Kate,
You put too much faith in those who have thus far shown to deserve none.
But it's ok I understand your position.
As for the anonymous who said "there are people out there with guns who can easilly threaten people to vote for whom they want."
Well I suppose now they don't have to threathen anyone anymore right? There is a much more secure way of achieving their ends and all they have to do is replace the ballot boxes while they're being transported. If someone suspects why suddenly some party has been able to fare better than expected someone else will just say,
"Its good to talk about vote rigging but it should be backed up with solid evidence."
I have a feeling Fretilin will fare better than expected but then Mari will say "I told you so".
A very intelligent and honest analysis of the electoral situasaun. Very good indeed.
Catch 22
On one hand you lose people participating in the overall process from casting a vote to be able to witness the count, on the other you freely cast your vote where knowing that your suco will not be singled out or targeted for voting a certain way.
Of the opinion that steps taken are positive to ensure greater scrutiny and security measures, in what will be an emotionaly charged elections.
There needs to be monitoring when transporting ballot boxes to distric centres. I guess those (party reps and independent observers) monitoring the votes can also escort the transport of the ballot boxes ensuring transparency. It will take longer to get results in.
Amendments in electoral laws or not I also have a feeling that FRETILIN will do better than expected, whether they have enough to govern or able to form a coalition is another issue.
You might want to look at what is said about this in the Seventh Report of the UN Election Certification Team
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