Page 34 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

16 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19

Safety Measures taken by AEC

The step-wise safety measures brought in place by the AEC are briefly stated:

Nominations

People wanting to file nomination for the by-election will need to make an appointment with the
Divisional Returning Officer, Eden-Monaro before attending the AEC office to file their nomination
forms. Hand sanitizer will be made available at the office entrance, on all meeting tables, and on the
way out. AEC staff may wear surgical masks, and social distancing of 1.5 metres will be observed
wherever possible.
AEC staff will also seek to minimise the amount of back-and-forth handling of forms. Contactless
Eftpos facilities will be available for candidates to deposit their nomination fee.
Ballot draw

Social-distancing rules will apply at
the ballot draw and seating will be
appropriately spaced. Hand sanitizer
will be at the entrance and exit of the
venue. AEC staff performing the ballot
draw will observe necessary personal
hygiene measures and sanitize the
equipment used.
At Training

AEC online training suite has been
enhanced to include a new online
mandatory training module on the
required health measures put in place
for COVID-19 safety. In case of face-to-
face training by the AEC staff, social-
distancing rules will be strictly observed and all of the health measures applicable in the by- election
will be applicable at the Training sessions or practical exercises also. Hand sanitizer will be available
on arrival and exit, and participants will wash or sanitize their hands before and after each practical
exercise.
Voting for residents of aged care facilities and hospital patients

The AEC is very particular about health and
safety of voters during the by-election;
especially those potentially vulnerable to
infection. Accordingly, they have adopted
special measures to protect residents of
aged care facilities and hospitals in the
Eden- Monaro electorate, whilst ensuring
they exercise their right to vote.

Based on medical advice, the AEC will
provide effective alternatives to mobile
polling (a normal feature of electoral
process). The AEC has specifically set up
a support team for the facilities, provided
enrolment forms and general postal vote
applications for residents to fill up and
return. Residents of aged care facilities
and hospitals will have the option to
either vote via a postal vote delivered directly to their facility; telephone voting for those who are blind
or have low vision; or by attending a polling location (depending on a voter’s personal circumstances).
The AEC will also maintain ongoing contact with aged care facilities and relevant hospitals in the
Division of Eden-Monaro to provide support, answer questions and deliver additional enrolment and
postal vote application forms as may be needed.