The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has directed candidates and their campaigners not to canvass outside polling places in the lead up to the Local Government elections in a bid to reduce the number of people at polling booths.
Minister for Local Government, Stirling Hinchliffe said the move was expected to minimise static interaction and was in the best health interests of attendees at early polling and election day booths.
Mr Hinchliffe said the directive allowed for how-to-vote information provided by candidates to be displayed inside polling places by ECQ officials.
“As of 5pm on Friday about half a million Queenslanders had cast their vote at a ballot box and more than 540,000 had applied for a postal vote,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Voters took advantage of extended early voting hours at more than 120 booths across the State that opened on Saturday (21 March).”
He said this was the first time in history that Queenslanders were be able to vote on two Saturdays in a row, including the official election day next Saturday (28 March).
Mr Hinchliffe said the latest advice from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young was that it was still safe to hold the Council elections.
Dr Young said the risk of contracting COVID-19 at a polling location was low.
“People will be frequently entering and exiting the environment, spending little time in static close contact, which reduces the risk of spread of COVID-19,” Dr Young said.
However people should abide by social distancing rules for gatherings of less than 100 people, she said.
“All persons attending a polling booth must maintain hygiene standards, in accordance with Queensland Health guidelines; they must not shake hands, or attempt to shake hands with electors as they are entering or waiting to enter the polling booth,” Dr Young said.
