The proxies and auditors will carry out functions necessary for the development of the electoral process in the elections next Sunday, May 28. What is the difference between them?
With the 28M elections in two days, it is important to understand the differences between the roles of intervenors and proxies in the electoral process. These actors perform specific and complementary functions within the democratic process. Next, we will explain what each of these roles consists of and what their responsibilities are.
The proxies are citizens of legal age in full use of their civil and political rights who represent the candidacies in electoral acts and operations. These proxies are appointed by the representatives of each candidature.
A proxy can free access to all polling places, examine the development of voting and scrutiny, formulate claims and protests, and request certifications. In addition, if there are no intervenors of your candidacy, the proxies can act as such before the table, participating in its deliberations with voice and without vote.
On the other hand, the representative of each candidacy can appoint, up to three days before the election, two auditors for each polling stationthrough the issuance of voucher credentials, with the date and foot signature of the appointment, who will only act in their Electoral Table but in a more active way.
The interveners, only in their Electoral Table
Auditors play a critical role in elections. They have the task of attending the Electoral table and participate in its deliberations with voice, although without the right to vote.
They have the right to participate in debates that take place and can express their opinions and points of view on the different aspects related to the electoral process.
In addition, they have the power to submit claims and protests if they consider that the rules are being violated or that there are irregularities during the development of voting and counting operations.
In this sense, they have the right to request certifications related to the electoral process. For example, they can request a copy of the charter of the polling station or any other documentation that is provided for in the electoral legislation.
In order to be appointed as an auditor, it is necessary be registered as a voter in the corresponding constituency. Employees and officials who prove their status as auditors are entitled during the day of the vote and the day immediately after, to the permits that article 28 of this Law establishes for the members of the Electoral Tables.
The intervenors of the same candidacy accredited before the Electoral Board can be freely substituted for each other. This means that if one of the auditors cannot attend the table, another auditor of the same candidacy can take his place, or as we mentioned before, by a proxy that comes to that electoral college to supervise the process.
Where do the proxies and interveners vote?
Unlike the proxies, the intervenors have the right to vote at the table before which they are accredited, even if they are not included in the electoral roll. However, to exercise their right to vote, they must be registered in the census of the corresponding constituency. If they do not meet this requirement, they will only be able to vote by mail at the polling station where they are registered.
It is important to bear in mind that intervenors and proxies play different and complementary roles in the electoral process. While the proxies represent the candidacies and have a more active role at the polling station, the intervenors act as observers in all schools.
