3. What is Parallel Vote Tabulation
(PVT)?
 The parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) often called
‘quick count’ is an election observation
methodology that is employed for independent
verification of election results.
 It involves observation of the election day voting
and counting processes at polling units,
collection of all polling unit information and
independent tabulation of these information.

4. Components of PVT
 An independent check on the official vote totals;
and
 A systematic analysis of the qualitative aspects
of an electoral process

5. PVT Goals
 Deter fraud – most basic reason why conducting
PVT.
 Detect fraud – detect vote-counting fraud.
 Timely forecast of election results
 Promote confidence in the election process and
the results as announced by the election
management body (in Nigeria – INEC)

6. PVT Goals Cont’d
 Assess the quality of the process – most
challenges of electoral processes are based on
anecdotes. PVT goes beyond anecdotes to
characterize the magnitude and severity of
problems in the electoral process.
 Encourages citizens to participate in the electoral
process.

7. PVT Goals Cont’d
 Extend organizational reach and skills building
– building of a network of CSO partners.
 Set the stage for future activities – most
organizations that conducted PVTs have been
seen to be honest and have continued in other
governance related projects other than election
observation.

8. PVT Prerequisites
 Access to the polling units/polling unit data
 Credibility with citizens – two main
components of credibility to be considered is
competence and independence.
 Adequate resources – significant human,
technical and financial resources.
 Adequate project management structure.
 Carefully developed checklist form

9. PVT underlying principles
 Use of statistical principles of probability and
sampling
 Rapid collation of results from the field using
suitable ICT tools.
 Use of suitable technologies to capture and
analyze results collected from observers on
the field
 Well trained observers assigned to pre-
sampled polling units.

10. Statistical principles
 Reliability and validity
 Adequate sample size – (offers faster,
cheaper and more practical approach to
studying the entire process).
 The population – PVT uses the population
eligible to vote (registered voters). – INEC
registered approx. – 70 million Nigerians
 Probability: The law of large numbers and the
central limit theorem.

11. Constructing the sample
 Identify the unit of analysis – polling units in the
case of Nigeria
 Determine the margin of error and confidence
levels;
 Determine the most appropriate type of random
sample; - {general random samples or stratified
random samples}.

12. Rapid collation of reports from Observers
on the field using adequate ICT tool
 Carefully study the environment and strategize
on the most effective ICT tools available.
 In Nigeria – we used Mobile/SMS aggregated
through a content provider (aggregator).
 Aggregators network could accept SMS from all
(8 – 9) GSM & CDMA provider – i.e. MTN, Glo,
Airtel, Etisalat, Starcomm, Visafone, Reltel,
Zoom.

13. Suitable technologies to capture and
analyze observer reported data
RapidSMS
 free and open-source framework for dynamic
data collection, logistics coordination and
communication, leveraging basic short
message service (SMS) mobile phone
technology.
 Read more on RapidSMS @ www.rapidsms.org

14. Adequately trained Observer network
NSC
Secretariat
State Coordinating
Committee
Local Government Area
Supervisors
Election day Observers

15. Observation Tool - Checklist
 An independent check on the official vote
totals; and a systematic analysis of the
qualitative aspects of an electoral process
 A checklist is a type of informational job aid
used to reduce failure by compensating for
potential limits of human memory and
attention. It helps to ensure consistency and
completeness in carrying out a task