Given the slowness in the vote counting, the president of Servel, Andrés Tagle, defended and highlighted the work carried out by the table members during the two days of voting.
The 2024 Municipal and Regional elections, which were held this October 26 and 27, were marked by the work of the table members, Most of whom in this edition were doing this work for the first time.
This was alerted by Carla Jara and Pamela Leiva, who for the first time served as table members and expressed their questions about the harsh conditions they must face. to finalize the delivery of the results to Servel.
Leiva, who was a member of the San Pablo School in Puente Alto, was blunt: “The system is a fiasco, it is not working well (…) it was 18 hours of work in a row.”
The comedian’s main criticisms pointed to the lack of decent conditions to carry out the count, since For example, they did not have food and many of their co-workers did not know how to return home. he pointed out on radio Biobío.
His words were shared by Carla Jara, who stated on her social networks that “I just got into my car, it’s 2 in the morning, This cannot be, and people will get up early tomorrow anyway. I find it terrible, terrible, I’m very angry (…) encouragement to those who are still counting votes.”
Servel highlights the work of table members
Faced with this controversy and the slowness in the counting of votes, the president of Servel, Andrés Tagle, defended and highlighted the work carried out by the table members during the two days of voting.despite being the first experience for the vast majority.
Tagle acknowledged that “the ballots on the floor seem irregular, but when there are more than 100 candidates, the piles per candidate do not fit on the table, so they use the floor, others do the counting on a blackboard, both mechanisms are efficient.”
Regarding the lack of food, the head of Servel explained that “legally we do not have the possibility of delivering food to them, It has always been that each one provides it, there is remuneration involved for the members.”
Regarding the count, Andrés Tagle specified that “the scrutiny is terrible when there are four candidates, the first two go quickly but the last ones with hundreds of candidates are very difficult.”
“There were 160,408 members, the vast majority new, who complied and responded excellently. They went to set up the tables on Friday, they worked all day on Saturday, they had to continue all day Sunday and until early Monday morning doing the counting. The election in two days was a burden for them and they carried it forward,” he stressed.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Servel Expert Andrés Tagle
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Andrés. Thank you for joining us today. The recent Municipal and Regional elections have stirred up a lot of conversation, particularly surrounding the vote-counting process. Can you start by sharing your perspective on the overall execution of this two-day event?
Andrés Tagle: Good afternoon. Thank you for having me. The elections held on October 26 and 27 were indeed a significant moment for our democracy. I’m proud of the work done by our table members, many of whom were volunteering for the first time. Their commitment and dedication were paramount in ensuring the voting process was carried out according to the electoral procedures.
Editor: Absolutely. However, it seems that the slowness in the vote counting has raised concerns. For instance, table members like Carla Jara and Pamela Leiva expressed frustration with their working conditions. How do you respond to their criticisms?
Andrés Tagle: I completely understand the frustrations expressed by new table members. They faced challenging conditions, and it’s crucial to acknowledge that. Serving as a table member is undoubtedly a demanding job, particularly for those who are inexperienced. I want to emphasize that while the situation needed improvement, the ultimate goal was to ensure accuracy in the counting process, which we prioritized over speed.
Editor: Speed vs. accuracy has always been a fine balance. Can you elaborate on what you think are the main areas that contributed to the reported delays?
Andrés Tagle: Certainly. The complexity of the counting process played a role. We had an influx of first-time members, and many were acclimating to procedures while handling unforeseen technical challenges. Additionally, the lack of adequate resources, such as food and rest areas, compounded the difficulties they faced during those long hours of work. This is something we are taking very seriously for future elections.
Editor: Commentators have noted that some members didn’t know how to return home after such long shifts. How is Servel planning to address these logistical issues going forward?
Andrés Tagle: We are currently analyzing feedback from this election to improve logistics significantly. This includes enhancing communication about post-count transportation options and ensuring that every table member is aware of their rights, including access to breaks and sustenance. It’s vital that we support them throughout the election process.
Editor: Thank you for that insight, Andrés. As an expert at Servel, what steps is your organization taking to train and prepare table members for future elections?
Andrés Tagle: We recognize that education and preparation are key. Moving forward, we are committed to enhancing our training programs. This includes providing simulation exercises for first-time members, clear instructions on the counting process, and ensuring they are aware of the support available to them during the election period.
Editor: Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the public regarding the electoral process and how they can participate or support future events?
Andrés Tagle: I would like to encourage the public to actively participate in the electoral process, whether as voters, table members, or volunteers. Each individual plays a pivotal role in upholding our democracy. We will continue to work to make the experience smoother and more efficient for everyone involved. Your voices are vital in shaping the future of our democratic practices.
Editor: Thank you, Andrés, for sharing your insights and plans for improving the electoral process. We appreciate the work that Servel is doing and look forward to seeing positive changes in future elections.
Andrés Tagle: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important matters.