Page 37 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

AUSTRALIA 19

Counting at AEC out-posted centres

Hand sanitizer will be available at the entry and exit of the out-posted centre (OPC), at each sorting and
counting table and in break-out areas.
The outside surfaces of election materials returned to the OPC – including ballot boxes transported on
election night from pre-poll voting centres – will be cleaned with sanitizing spray on arrival.
Ballot boxes will be cleaned with sanitizing spray before opening, and staff will wash or sanitize their
hands after handling ballot-box tags, and before and after each count of ballot papers. Surgical masks
may be worn both by staff and scrutinizers and, if practicable, “sneeze shields” will be used at each
counting and sorting table to separate scrutinizers from counting staff.

The OPC will be set up with prominent hygiene signage and 1.5-metre standard markings on the floor.
There will be regular cleaning of surfaces, equipment and break-out areas during operational hours.
Only single-use water bottles will be allowed, all plates and cutlery must be disposable, and there will
be no provision for the serving of coffee or tea inside.

All equipment used for scrutiny will be cleaned before installing and it will also be regularly cleaned
during use and before return. Additional Security Officers and Hygiene Officers will be present in the
OPC to ensure everyone’s safety and adherence to the health measures. They will be wearing distinctive
bibs.
Deep cleaning of the OPC will occur overnight and at the conclusion of the counting. Biohazard bags
will be used to dispose of all waste from the clearing process.
When counting postal votes

The outside of all transport containers used by Australia Post or couriers will be sprayed with sanitizing
spray prior to opening.
Hand sanitizer will be regularly applied by staff before opening batches of postal-vote envelopes and
the extraction of ballot papers. Staff will also wash or sanitize their hands immediately before and after
each count or when they handle batches of ballot papers.

Surgical masks should be worn by both staff and scrutineers.
At the declaration of the poll

Social-distancing rules will apply to all in attendance and seating will be appropriately spaced. Hand
sanitizer will be at the entrance and exit of the venue.
Achieving the AEC Service Standards

The AEC is committed to upholding five key service standards.

The AEC will support effective participation in the Eden-Monaro by-election by ensuring information
provided to the voting public and candidates is timely, accurate, comprehensive and easy to understand.
The AEC will conduct a public information and education campaign and will deliver an official guide for
the by-election to households across the division. Information will also be available on the AEC website
including information in accessible formats. The AEC will provide services to assist people living with
disability to ensure they are not disadvantaged from participating in the electoral process.
Prospective candidates will also be provided with a range of information and services. The AEC website
serves as a central information hub providing guidance on standing for election to Parliament.
Standard 1: Voters and candidates receive timely and accurate information

Achieved by:
The AEC will provide timely and accurate information using appropriate technology and channels.

Details of voting centres (early voting centres and polling places) will be published on the AEC website
a minimum of 48 hours prior to being open to the public.

Information published on the AEC website about the location and accessibility of voting centres (early
voting centres and polling places) will be accurate.