March 19, 2020, 11:02 a.m.
As the world reacts to a new pandemic (COVID-19), it is essential that election management bodies (EMBs) and public authorities around the world make sensible and well-informed decisions regarding whether and how to hold scheduled electoral activities (e.g., voter registration, political campaigning, poll worker training, and ballot casting). These decisions should be informed by health authorities and might vary depending on each country’s public health capabilities, level of spread of the disease, and other contextual factors. Holding elections in the time of pandemic will not be easy but should not be viewed as impossible without considering reasonable measures that could protect both health and democratic rights. Where elections are not feasible in the short term, careful consideration must be given to measures that ensure the continuity of governance, protection of institutions and fundamental rights of individuals. Any delays should be agreed to on the basis of sound risk assessment and involve set milestones agreed across the political divide and based on public health evidence.
IFES has gathered a series of recommendations to guide EMB planning and implementation of electoral events during this period that is informed by general guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best practices issued by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) or implemented by EMBs around the world who have conducted electoral processes during public health crises. These recommendations were developed to the best of IFES’ knowledge as of March 19, 2020. As research on COVID-19 is ongoing and new information is made available every day,[1] please refer to the relevant health authorities for the most up-to-date guidance.
Alternatives to Holding In-Person Electoral Activities
Postponements: To avoid crowds and the risk of person-to-person contagion, EMBs might postpone electoral events (e.g., in-person voter registration, political rallies, in-person ballot casting) until a later date, respecting the country’s legal provisions.
Holding electoral activities online/remotely: Crowding can also be avoided by holding some electoral events online or remotely, where legal provisions allow.
Mitigating Risks of Holding in-Person Electoral Activities
Situation to consider: Avoiding or reducing the risks of crowding and human-to-human contact
Electoral Events Affected
Risk Factors
Mitigation Actions
Situation to consider: Avoiding or reducing risks of contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (e.g., voter IDs, ballots, ballot boxes, pens, fingerprint scanners)
Electoral Events Affected
Risk Factors
Mitigation Actions
Situation to consider: Mitigating risks to highly vulnerable populations
Electoral Events Affected
Risk Factors
Mitigation Actions
Situation to consider: Releasing healthcare workers from poll worker service
Electoral Events Affected
Risk Factors
Mitigation Actions
[1] Among the issues still being further studied are, for example, the real risks of transmission via fomites (objects or materials which are likely to carry infection) and how long the virus can survive in surfaces, whether and for how long the virus can remain airborne, and what distance is safe to prevent transmission via respiratory droplets.
IFES' Guidelines and Recommendations for Electoral Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic also available for download here.