-        The ballot box is opened and the contents placed on the table in the presence of electors.

-         The counting is done in the polling station (sections 105 and 107 of law no. 91-20)

-         The envelopes are counted and noted.

-         A scrutineer takes each envelope, removes the ballot paper inside, reads it in a clear and loud voice and passes it to another scrutineer for verification and confirmation.

-         The names of the lists or of candidates appearing on the ballot papers are recorded by at least two scrutineer on specially prepared counting sheets.

-         Another scrutineer records the result on a board specially prepared for this purpose (sections 104 to 109(1), (2), (3), (4) of law no. 91-20).

-         NEO must ensure that all scrutineers  be present at the vote counting and that ballot boxes are not transferred to another place without their permission. (section 6(15) of law no. 2000/016).

The counting of ballot papers is done in the following ways:

-         Columns or lines are drawn on the blackboard. Each column corresponds to a political party. Another column is reserved for blank ballot papers.

-         Each time a ballot paper corresponding to a political party is read, a line is drawn on the board in the corresponding column.

-     After a total of five (5) lines presented thus , another series is started.

-         At the end, the number of squares of each line or column is counted and multiplied by five (5).

-         The total number of votes for a party is entered at the bottom of the corresponding column.

-         The total number of blank ballot papers is also mentioned. A comparison is done between the total number of votes and the valid votes as well as blank ballot papers.

-         At the end, a report of the proceedings is drawn up.

(This method of counting is highly recommended

   because it has been in practice over the years)

Proclamation of Results

At the polling station:

NEO must make sure that the results are proclaimed after public counting (section 110 of law no. 91-20 and section 30 of law no. 92-002) and that the figures on the board are properly reported.

At the level of the supervisory commission:

-         The results are entered in a report drawn up in as many copies as there are members present, plus two(2) additional copies. One of the two copies is submitted to the supervisory commission and the other to the NEO delegate. The vote counting sheets are appended to the commission’s copy (section 30 of law no. 92-002, and section 6(18) of law no. 2000/016) Compare with sections 112, 113 and 114 of law no. 91-20 which say that two copies of the report should be handed to the DO who in turn forwards one copy to the SDO. The explanation here is that each electoral law governs a particular election. It is only when nothing is provided in one electoral law, that we can draw from another electoral law to complete the law on that aspect.

At the  level of the Supreme Court:

-         NEO must make sure that the final counting is done in public and that all irregularities are rectified. (section 45 of law no. 91-20).

N.B.

-         All members of the polling station must sign the report (section 30 of law no. 92-002).

-         Unclaimed voters’ registration cards must be placed in a sealed envelope and sent to the DO’s office (section 66(5) of law no. 91-20).

Responsible authorities:

Composition:

Chairman:               ·       A Supreme Court Judge.

Members:

·        Two Judicial Officers;

·        Ten Representatives of the Administration;

·        Ten Representatives of Political Parties participating in the elections. (section 44 (1) of law no. 91-20).