>> That's why you have hostile observers from opposing parties present. Even though observers are supposed to behave in an impartial and accurate way, partisan

>> That's why you have hostile observers from opposing parties present. Even though observers are supposed to behave in an impartial and accurate way, partisan observers help ensure accuracy by their partisanship. If an individual counter is bought by Party A, observers from Parties B and C are there. When the teller puts some of Party C's votes in Party A's pile, Party C is there to bring it to the attention of officials. If it is likely to be close between A and B, and a teller puts a spoiled, party D, or independent paper in A's pile, then B will note it. Once these things have been raised, they are recorded and read by more officials and observers. That increases the number of people you need to buy off in order to effect a change in the result, which in turn increases the chance of being caught or having to buy off someone who cannot be bought in your favour.