Page 33 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

AUSTRALIA 15

The Australian Election Commission is committed to providing the highest standard
of electoral services for the Eden-Monaro by-election. During the COVID-19

pandemic this includes a range of safety measures for voters, AEC staff and other
participants.

We have introduced a range of COVID-19 safety measures at voting venues and
also through the entire by-election process, including the receipt and declaration
of nominations, the management of election materials and at our counting centre.

The operating model for this by-election includes social distancing and hygiene
measures that conform with federal and local health advice and are also within the
legislative framework of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The infection-control
advice the AEC is following has been provided by the Australian Government’s
Chief Medical Offi cer, and relevant NSW and ACT health authorities.

It is also important to note these measures, which must be enacted to protect the

community, will inevitably slow the voting process. Whilst we are implementing
measures to try and reduce this impact, the AEC thanks all electors and participants
for their patience and adherence to the new measures in the polling place and at
our count centre.

The counting of votes will also take longer due to the measures in place in polling
places and at our counting centre. The expected increase in postal and pre-poll
votes cast will also impact the speed of the count, noting the legislative requirement
to wait 13 days after election day for the return of postal votes.

As a result, it is likely to take longer to formally declare a fi nal result in this by-
election compared with previous federal by-elections but, as per our normal practice,

the AEC will do everything possible to provide an indicative result on polling night.

The AEC is committed to continuous improvement. This service plan outlines the
key election services and standards that will underpin the AEC’s delivery of the
2020 EdenMonaro by-election during a pandemic.

Should you have any comments on the service plan or the AEC’s delivery on these
commitments, I would ask you to take the time to let us know through our online
enquiry form so we can consider your feedback as we continue to improve the
delivery of election services.

Tom Rogers
Electoral Commissioner