“An independently run Election, is one way of demonstrating Good Governance”.
We ask you to consider the statement above if you’re intending to outsource your next Ballot or Election.
Election Consulting Group provide business process services for the successful planning and conduct of Election, Ballots and Surveys; to Companies, Government, not-for profit organisations, Universities Associations, Credit Unions and Superannuation organisations.
Whilst the term “Governance” is rather ambiguous, it is generally used when referring to the structure of relationships that bring about organisational coherence, authorise policies, plans and decisions, and account for probity, responsiveness and cost-effectiveness.
Our company conducts Elections and Ballots utilizing good Corporate Governance principles that are applied together with strict adherence to our client’s business rules and relevant legislation, ensuring an accurate, secure and independent process able to withstand scrutiny.
These principles relate to Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Committee Elections as well as Industrial Ballots such as Collective Agreement Ballots.
Organisations have a statutory obligation to comply with Australian corporations law as their respective Constitution or Articles of Association and relevant Legislation the requirement to communicate with member, and seek member participation and gain approval on specific matter, for example AGM or the Election of Board of Directors and vote on resolutions.
Some companies have modified their Constitution to include electronic ballots. The Election Consulting Groups Returning Officer (RO) manages your Election or Ballot and is bound by the rules “road map of the Constitution. In some cases the Constitution may state the Company Secretary is the Returning Officer and in such cases our RO will be the outsourced Deputy RO and project manage the process in consultation with the Company Secretary.
Election Consulting Group notes; there has been strong organic growth in E-Democracy for both organizations and Government Departments, including Federal and State Electoral Commissions become increasingly engaged in trialing various electronic voting methods.
Where Constitutions are silent in certain areas, our experienced and skilful RO will navigate the client though potential legal issues by applying “Best Practice” processes.
We have a set of democratic principles designed to ensure fair and transparent Elections and include the following;
- Strict adherence to Election Rules, Constitution and relevant Legislation
- Demonstrate clear responsibilities with strategic internal and external accountabilities
- Accurate reporting of the service cost involved with the election process
- Remove risk associated with managing an Election internally.
- All processes are fully auditable and able to withstand scrutiny
- Compliance with the National Privacy Principles in relation to sensitive data.
- A measurement of performance relevant for individuals and the governing body
|
Insurance
Election Consulting Group carry full Indemnity and Liability insurance.
Good Governance Check List
Election Consulting Group has attempted to define a list to support Good Governance and rational for outsourcing your Election/Ballot and selection of a voting service provider.
Our list includes but is not limited to the following;
- Professionalism RO experience Election Consulting Group is an independent and neutral organization engaging a team of election management experts and experience Returning Officer, some with more than 30 years experience working with the Australia Electoral Commission. We use “best practice” principles and proven methodologies to ensure the integrity of our solutions and produce auditable results.
- Australian-based security data-base hosting site – your member/employee personal details are managed in accordance to meet NPP rules.
- Accountability and Audit – fully auditable and certified systems.
- Accuracy - is paramount and in some circumstances a second count may be required.
- Certification of Results – are provided in the form or a full and concise written report.
- Equity –all processes are aimed to ensure all member or employees are treated equally.
- High level encryption and authentication log-ins - for software utilised as a minimum requirement.
- Independence – Demonstrate clear roles and responsibilities distance from the process and results, whilst earning and maintaining the trust and respect of your members/employees.
- National Privacy Principles – our clients data is managed in accordance with NPP requirements
- One Vote per Person – All methods of voting are designed to ensure the one vote per person. When a “hybrid” ballot is selected, the first ballot received either paper or if a vote has been received by the Internet the first in is the first counted. If the vote over the Internet is received and the unique identifier is consumed the RO will not admit the paper ballot into the count.
- Secrecy- Internet voting allow for the voter experience to be flexible in choosing a variety of locations to vote. When a vote is recorded, no reference to the voter is ever stored. The vote itself is sorted in the database in an encrypted format separate to the Personal Access Code (PAC) that has been consumed and the employee or member marked off the roll.
- Scrutineering and Observing (of Collective Agreement Ballots) – is welcomed upon our clients request
- Technology –software bar codes and scanning used for mark back and counting to increase accuracy.
- Transparency - of process is paramount.
- Timeliness - of process and results.
- Voter identification - at least two forms (sometimes three) are required for secure login and include; DOB, AGS (employee) numbers, payroll number, member number, driver’s license together with the electoral register number.
Finally, our team’s mission is to embrace all the “Best Practice” processes from start to completion of the final report in a flexible, responsive and friendly manner. |
