The Election Early Warning System (EWS) objective is to enhance the credibility of the data collection process through capturing an accurate account of the events as they unfold through an auditable, transparent and secure manner.
The EWS integrates various data collection and analysis tools that are tailor-made for the specific stages/phases of the electoral cycle. Data is captured in form of images, audios, videos and documents as received from the field monitors and is taken up on the next phase referred to as the verification stage. Final stage is the In-depth analysis and timely follow up on electoral malpractices and human rights incidences.
Benefits of Early Warning Systems
The following list highlights the gains made from deployment of the early warning system in election monitoring.
- Timely prevention: The timely delivery by election monitors provides an opportunity of analysis and sending SOS alerts to the security agencies. This has prevented loss of life, bodily harm and destruction of properties.
- Geo Mapping: The ability of analyze the status of each region (hotspot) through an in-built geo-mapping feature. This great feature shows the spread / velocity of the various issues under monitoring and ensure that timely response is provided for that specific hotspot.
- Data verification: All reports have to undergo the verification process by an independent team to ensure accuracy. This added layer of validation ensures that information shared for action meets all the required threshold of evidence.
- Information sharing: Dissemination of information to the monitors spread throughout the country is done centrally through the election monitoring system. This brings uniformity in how the data is gathered and shared by the election monitors.
- Monitoring: The EWS provides the ability to monitor the work of each monitor independently to ensure value for money and credibility of reports. This ensures accountability on the part of the election monitors and credibility of the entire project.
- Documentation: Evidence documentation is an important feature of the EWS. In the event that Organization will be required to go to court either as the petitioner or as an interested party. Evidence is captured through images, video, audio, and documents.
- Reporting: Production and release of timely press statement and credible reports is key owing to the fluid nature of elections. Data gathered and verified in the EWS will be useful for report writing and press release if and when necessary.
- Emerging issues: The EWS will provide insights on emerging issues through the deep insights and analysis of the data. This will help the organization provide timely intervention and advisories to government bodies as may be required.