The electoral process and democracy go hand in hand; one cannot survive without the other. It is the electoral process and the right to vote that have helped sustain democracy for so long. Thus, it is critically essential that the electoral process is made flawless to instil people’s trust. Background checks can play a pivotal role in building a trusting relationship between the public, i.e. the voters, and the government, i.e. whom they vote for, completing the actual meaning of democracy. 
 

Index Understanding the potential risks of hiring unqualified or compromised poll workers Criminal History Checks to identify individuals with a history of election-related offenses Verification of voter registration status to ensure impartiality Reference checks to assess character and trustworthiness Best Practices for Election Administrators Balancing security with accessibility in the screening process F.A.Qs

Understanding the potential risks of hiring unqualified or compromised poll workers  

At the heart of a democracy, election poll workers serve as the guardians of the voting process. These individuals are pivotal in maintaining the integrity and flawlessness of the electoral process. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the role of a poll worker or PO encompasses: 

• Taking oath from the Presiding Officer
• Calling out the name and serial number of the voter in the electoral roll
• Ensuring that every voter has an original National Identity Card
• Ensuring that voters' names are struck off from the electoral roll
• Checking each voter for any sign of indelible ink on his thumb
• Obtaining a thumb impression on the Electoral rolls in the space provided
• Applying indelible ink to the cuticle of the right-hand thumb of each voter
• Assisting the Presiding Officers, APOs in conducting their duties
• Performing any other function assigned to him by the Presiding Officer or the APOS 

On election day, the polling officers are held responsible for important tasks. From checking out voters’ National Identity Cards to obtaining thumb impressions, these officers have an important duty to adhere to. However, what if these supervisors are not trustworthy? What if they try to manipulate the ongoing electoral process, tampering with the results? 

During the last election, a temporary election worker, assigned to the ballot tabulation center was arrested for stealing keys and a security fob that can be used to gain access to the county’s ballot tabulation machines. The county conducted a background check on him before hiring him, but no convictions were found despite having been previously charged with theft in July 2023.

The whole electoral process circulates around trust. The trust of the people for whom they vote, and the trust of the election commission in the officers they appoint. However, the integrity of the election process gets compromised if an official accepts any enticements offered by anyone wishing to influence and bias the election results. Thorough background checks designed for election poll officers can assist in building public trust in the electoral system and avert any legal or ethical issues that may surface from workers with vile intentions or those susceptible to coercion from influencing the election process.

 

Criminal History Checks to identify individuals with a history of election-related offenses 

Anyone who has come into documented contact with the criminal justice system has a criminal record. Criminal background checks are a scheduled part of most of the hiring processes. According to a recent survey, 72% of employers use background checks, and 82% of those employers conduct criminal background checks. These numbers reflect the increasing use of background checks to satisfy requirements to be bonded and trusted. 

Similarly, criminal background checks can be instrumental in identifying any red flags when hiring poll officers. 

Criminal record checking is a process that screens potential employees for criminal records, past convictions, and other information that could affect their suitability for the elections. It is one of the most important types of background checks because it can help the election office find out if the potential candidate has any criminal records or convictions. Moreover, a criminal record is a list of the crimes committed by an individual. They are not a single event, but rather a pattern of offences. 

Criminal background checks are required for all election officials, staff, and temporary workers who are engaged in pre-election programming, testing, and preparing the voting system equipment for early voting and election day. A person having a criminal record is not automatically disqualified from working with electronic voting equipment. However, the hiring entity should consider the nature of the crime in determining whether to hire or assign voting system duties to an individual with a criminal record. 

 

Verification of voter registration status to ensure impartiality 

Imagine organizing an exclusive event where only guests are allowed entry. To maintain order and security, you’d check the guest list at the door, ensuring that only those who received an invitation get in. 

Similarly, during elections, the integrity of the process hinges on verifying who is allowed to cast their vote. Just as a bouncer ensures that only valid guests enter a party, electoral officials need to verify voters' identities to make sure the right people are participating in the democratic process.

By verifying voter registration status, election authorities confirm that each voter is eligible and that no one is unfairly influencing the results. It's a crucial step in maintaining trust and transparency in the electoral process, ensuring that every vote counts and is cast by an authorized individual.
There are two ways to get this information:

• The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in collaboration with NADRA, provides an SMS service for the public to facilitate eligible voters in checking their registration status. Voters can send their CNIC number via text message to 8300, and an automated response will provide details including their electoral area, block code, and serial number.
• Alternatively, registered voters can visit their respective District Election Commissioner’s (DEC) office, where the final electoral roll is available for verification. The addresses and contact details for these offices across the four provinces can be found on the Election Commission's website. 

 

Reference checks to assess character and trustworthiness 

To understand a candidate’s past performance and integrity, employers rely on reference checks. Similarly, election administrators can use reference checks to gauge the character and trustworthiness of potential poll workers. A reference check provides a deeper assessment of a candidate’s work ethic and reliability. These qualities are especially integral for those entrusted with the delicate responsibility of managing the electoral process. 

In particular, reference checks are crucial when considering the importance of impartiality and integrity in elections. As a poll worker's task ranges from managing voter lists, and securing ballots to maintaining order at polling stations, it is quintessential that these officers are free from biases and outside influences. By contacting former employers, colleagues, or supervisors, election administrators can better understand whether a candidate has demonstrated honesty, impartiality, and dedication in previous roles, thus implementing reference checks at their optimum.

Moreover, reference checks can highlight potential red flags that might not appear in background or criminal record checks. For example, while a candidate may not have a criminal history, their past references could reveal patterns of unprofessional behaviour, conflicts of interest, or lapses in judgment—any of which could compromise the election process. 

 

Best Practices for Election Administrators

Maintenance of an election’s integrity requires a thorough, well-organized approach, especially when it comes to hiring and managing poll workers. By following these best practices, election administrators can safeguard the voting process and maintain public trust.

• Conduct Comprehensive Background Checks Perform criminal background checks, reference checks, and verify employment history to identify any past misconduct or criminal behaviour that could compromise the integrity of the election process.
• Mandate Social Media Screening Review candidates’ social media activity to spot potential red flags, such as participation in activities or expressions that could indicate bias or unethical behaviour.
• Ensure Continuous Training Provide mandatory training for all election workers to familiarize them with the latest technology, procedures, and ethical guidelines to handle voters and ballots with care.
• Adopt a Transparent Hiring Process Establish clear and standardized criteria for hiring election workers, promoting transparency and reducing the risk of favouritism or biases during recruitment.
• Establish a Code of Conduct Develop and enforce a code of conduct that outlines acceptable behaviour and provides clear consequences for violations, reinforcing the importance of impartiality and ethics.

 

Balancing security with accessibility in the screening process 

Creating a balance between rigorous security protocols and accessibility in the screening process is integral for any election. While background checks and reference verifications ensure the integrity of the poll workers, the process should remain streamlined to avoid delays or unnecessary barriers. Effective screening should enhance security without creating a cumbersome hiring process, ensuring that qualified and impartial individuals are selected swiftly. This balance helps to protect the electoral process while keeping it efficient and accessible.

Partnering with a trusted background screening company like Check Xperts ensures election administrators to maintain high standards of security without sacrificing speed or accessibility. Their expertise in conducting thorough, compliant background checks provides election officials with peace of mind, knowing that only reliable and trustworthy individuals are entrusted with the voting process.

 

F.A.Qs

1. Why are background checks important for election poll workers? 
   Election poll workers are entrusted with delicate responsibilities from managing voter lists and securing ballots to maintaining order at polling stations. Thus it is important that these workers are unbiased and work honestly. 
   
   
2. What types of background checks should be conducted for poll workers? 
   In the case of poll workers, these background checks should be mandatory:
   Criminal Background Checks
   Reference Checks
   Social media Screening 
   
   
3. How can election administrators balance security with accessibility in the screening process? 
   Election administrators can balance security with accessibility by implementing efficient, streamlined background checks that thoroughly vet candidates without creating unnecessary delays or barriers to hiring.
   
   
4. What are the potential risks of hiring unqualified or compromised poll workers? 
   Hiring unqualified poll workers can lead to election fraud, manipulation of results, and breaches of voter privacy, eventually resulting in the loss of public trust in the electoral process.