THE coronavirus pandemic disrupted many elections scheduled for 2020, but a number of countries went ahead with polls with measures in place to balance the risks of the virus with the right to vote.
According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, between February and December last year, at least 75 countries and territories decided to postpone national and sub-national elections due to Covid.
However, at least 101 countries and territories went ahead with polls, of which around 79 were national elections or referendums.
The first nationwide poll in a country with a significant Covid-19 outbreak was in South Korea. It held its National Assembly election on April 15, 2020, at a time when more than 10,000 cases of the virus had been recorded.
Social distancing was in place with voters required to wear face masks and have their temperatures checked – but despite the restrictions, the election saw the highest voter turnout in 28 years at 66.2%.
One of the most high profile elections last year was of course the US presidential vote, with Joe Biden winning the race for the White House after campaigning moved mostly online, rather than the usual packed rallies.
With millions of Americans choosing to vote by post, it was another election which recorded huge turnout at around 66% – which was the highest for 120 years.
While masks, hand sanitiser and gloves became a common feature for both voters and polling staff alike, Israel went one step further by setting up special separate polling stations for those who were in a quarantine due to possible exposure to Covid-19, operated by staff in full PPE. This meant more than 5000 people in self-isolation were able to cast their votes.
However millions of voters in Burundi went to the polls in May amid concerns raised by human rights groups that the authorities were playing down the threat of the virus. The country’s foreign ministry expelled the World Health Organisation’s expert team on Covid-19 just days before the poll.
Eight by-elections were held in Scotland during the beginning of October and the end of November – the only electoral events to be held in the UK since coronavirus legislation introduced provisions to postpone elections.
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The Electoral Commission published a report last week examining the key lessons which have been learned from these polls which stated: “Elections can be conducted safely under coronavirus restrictions. Returning Officers must however take additional steps to ensure that public health advice around physical distancing, proper hand hygiene, and the use of face coverings is followed at key election events.
“It takes more time to plan and costs more to deliver. Returning Officers will need to ensure that their planning arrangements are robust and that they are adequately resourced to deliver the election.”
The report also noted that many voters are still choosing to go to the polls in person.
“Returning Officers will nevertheless need to consider how they communicate the key messages that polling stations will be safe places to vote; that there are a range of voting options open to voters; and that those who would prefer to vote by post should apply early,” it added.
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