Day 7 - The Roll Call with TallyJ

Yesterday we saw how the Front Desk Registration screen is used to register everyone who is voting. When that is done, we have a complete list of who is present and ready to participate in the election.

The Roll Call screen can now be used to give structure and dignity to the process as each person deposits their ballot.

Here is an example of how it can be done... The head teller explains the process of the election, then calls for a period of silence with an atmosphere of prayer and reverence, when those present can record their votes onto their ballot paper and seal the paper into their ballot envelope. When everyone has completed their ballot, the collection of those ballots can begin.

At this point, the Roll Call screen is projected at the front of the hall. At a microphone, a pre-selected reader explains that each person will now be called to deposit their ballot, in order of their last name. When their name is coming soon, they should line up at the back of the hall (or some other appropriate location). The reader then reads out the name of the first person, inviting them up to deposit their ballot envelope into the ballot box. When they have deposited their ballot, the next person is called, and so on.

During this process, the screen advances to the next name when a key is pressed on the keyboard of the computer running the projector. Either the reader, or someone else, can do this.

If someone arrives late, after the roll call has started, they should immediately register at a teller's table, and their name will be added and shown at the end of the list. If someone does not come forward when their name is called, this must be investigated to determine whether they were incorrectly registered or not and if they have voted. If someone realizes that their name was not called, they can be registered immediately at a teller's table, and then deposit their ballot.

The Roll Call screen has the option of including the names of those voting who are not present, indicating how their ballot was received. This provides a more clear understanding of who is voting.

Once all the ballots are collected, the tellers can then retire to their room to begin tallying the votes.

Throughout the process, the atmosphere of prayer and reverence can be maintained. The ballot box at the front can be arranged in a beautiful manner befitting the occasion.

Each community has their own way of organizing the election. Please share with us some ideas from what your community does, by writing a comment below!

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