The global spread of COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus disease) has profoundly impacted on the delivery of public services and routine events that are integral to inclusive societies. Electoral processes are one such event.

The opportunity for a society to confirm officials in elected office or remove them, within a constitutionally defined timeframe, is a pillar of democratic values and standards. The process of doing this is a communal one, and communal events intrinsically bring people together—a process that is contrary to the informed advice for limiting the transmission of a virus, such as the one that causes COVID-19.

Decisions must be made to ensure democratic institutions function as they ordinarily would do, during extraordinary times, such as the outbreak of a global health pandemic. This Technical Paper offers an initial overview of key points for electoral administrators, governments and civil society organizations on administering elections amid the continued spread of COVID-19.

Details

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Key considerations for planning an election

3. Will postponing or continuing to hold an election affect its legitimacy?

4. Guidelines for operating polling stations during the COVID-19 pandemic

5. Deciding to postpone or continue with holding an election

6. Recommendations

References

Give us feedback

Do you have a question or feedback about this publication? Leave us your feedback, and we’ll get back to you

Send feedback

Elections and COVID-19

International IDEA Technical Paper 1/2020
Download Download PDF
File size : 267.87 KB
Total views 24552
Downloads 20
Rating
Close tooltip