But even if machines are closely monitored by polling staff--a condition that's far from universal--a more realistic concern may be innocent bugs that miscount or ignore votes.

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Mr. Mahmood said that in Pakistan's largest province of Punjab, where Mr. Sharif's brother ran the provincial government in recent years, many polling staff, who are mostly teachers in government schools, were too scared to call the vote in favor of PTI.

WSJ: Pakistan Election Gets a Seal of Approval

Early voting requires states to staff polling locations for weeks at a time and to maintain and secure the polling machines.

CNN: In voting, the early bird skips the line

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the Libyan people on the election and hailed the electoral staff for "well-conducted and transparent" polling.

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The political research unit provides background information and reliable statistics on parties, policies and polling, producing indispensable election guides which are studied and treasured by politics geeks and other staff across the corporation.

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