Page 22 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

4 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19

training and elector confidence, legislative and legal complexities besides issues relating to electoral
integrity in many countries. More than 78 elections have been postponed in different countries. The
COVID-19 pandemic has called into question many aspects of electoral and political life beyond the
act of voting. Campaigns and conventions, the essence of socio-political action, have been forced to
go virtual, limiting traditional canvassing. Even the virtual campaigns faced complaints of misuse by
the party in power.
The Successful Players

Yet there are over 38 elections that have been successfully conducted in different countries on time or
after adjustments in their electoral schedules. For this purpose, they have developed robust COVID-19
safety protocols, well harmonised with their legislative instruments on public health and safety on one
hand and the law relating to the elections on the other. Every country has its own socio-political, legal
and legislative framework as also the public safety environment and the legal framework on COVID-19
protection. Seamless harmonisation of all these aspects along with proper planning and execution of
the electoral process leads to the success story.

International Organizations such as International IDEA, A-WEB and IFES etc have risen to the occasion
and played their leadership role right from day one. They have monitored practically all the elections,
developed expert advice and supported the EMBs in fulfilling their constitutional obligations.
This document discusses success stories of managing elections despite COVID-19 across the world. It
is a ‘One Stop’ rich resource on the subject for experience sharing and learning from each other.