Page 42 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

24 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19

Australia-Queensland

Local Government Elections in Queensland,
Australia- COVID-19

The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) carefully considered the impact of COVID-19 on the
conduct of the 2020 local government elections and the Currumbin and Bundamba by-elections. This
included the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and decisions of the National Cabinet.

After considering advice from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, the ECQ determined that, based on
current advice available, the elections should go ahead. This was on the basis that elections facilitated
an essential service by providing for continuity of democratic representation for Queenslanders; and
measures had been put in place at polling places to limit the number of people inside the building to
fewer than 100.
The ECQ acknowledged that this was a unique situation for Queensland electors and enhanced its
service delivery approach for the elections to promote public health and confidence in participating in
the electoral process. This included additional personal hygiene precautions and people management
measures for both electors and polling officials at polling booths.
Directions for the 2020 elections

The Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) issued guidelines under the Local Government Electoral
(2020 Quadrennial Election) Regulation 2020 and the Electoral (By-elections before Next General
Election) Regulation 2020. The Directions limited the access of scrutineers during preliminary and
official counts. This helped in social distancing measures in line with advice from the state’s health
authorities. The ECQ provided additional guidelines to candidates and registered political parties about
the application of the Direction.
The Regulations banned the display of election signs at polling booths prior to 5AM on polling day,
Saturday 28 March 2020. The ECQ developed a fact sheet displaying the restrictions on setting up
election signs at polling booths.

The ECQ issued guidelines about distribution of how-to-vote cards and other election material at
polling booths PDF under the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 and the Electoral Act 1992. To
support social distancing, all persons were prohibited from distributing how-to-vote cards or election
material at all polling booths, but materials could be provided to booth supervisors for display at the
booth.
The Chief Health Officer released guidelines regarding the conduct of the 2020 local government and
state by-elections to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
All Directions issued by the Electoral Commissioner are found in the
Following resources:

• Fast facts - March 2020 Local government elections

• Fact sheet - COVID-19 protection measures
• Fact sheet - Telephone voting
• Fact sheet - Restrictions on setting up election signs at polling booths Fact sheet - Postal voting
and election day voting
• Direction about distribution of how-to-vote cards and other election material at polling booths

• Direction about Candidates and Scrutineers at Particular Places