>>513428183In the Netherlands we also don't have counting machines, because it's not transparent.
You need a voting pass, with your name on it which has been send to your house, and an ID card. Which gets checked by three people.
We count how many people voted, as everyone who voted gets scraped off a list, so you know how many votes have been cast. But you can also count the voting passes to know how many people have voted. And after you voted you get scraped off a list, so you can't vote twice.
You vote with a red pencil, which is chained to a table. If someone else has a red pencil you know it's bad news.
When counting the ballots they first get sorted by party. One person says to which stack they should go. And a second person puts it on the stack of that party.
Counting is also done by different people. Often 4 to 6 people sitting at a table in front of each other. And one guy overseeing the table and noting down the scores. As everyone counts the stack of one party, they can also spot it if a ballot has been put on the wrong stack.
Everyone is allowed to join in as an observer. Although we also have paid observers. And after the votes have been counted they have to be put in sealed containers. The sealed containers can be used for a recount later.