Second Virtual Seminar - 16 March 2022
The second (in a series of four) virtual discussions on the topic of managing elections during a pandemic was conducted on 16 March 2022.
Summary
Participants reflected on the conduct of elections during the Covid pandemic. Despite the many challenges that Covid has presented since early 2020, it is clear that EMBs have “led from the front” in ensuring that the challenge of meeting constitutional and legal requirements to conduct elections, whilst at the same time ensuing the safety of voters and the overall integrity of the electoral process, have been met and, in some cases, enhanced. In general, EMBs have acquitted themselves well in the conduct of elections during the pandemic since 2020. The seminar identified a number of positive outcomes from the experience of EMBs. Indeed, it would appear that both voter turnout and campaign participation, key elements of the integrity of an election, have not suffered because voters and participants have had sufficient trust in the measures put in place to ensure their safety. Trust in and of EMBs remains a key ingredient to a successful election in any circumstance.
A number of themes emerged during the seminar. First, it was clear that the degree and scope of advance election and contingency planning has intensified. Election planning has required EMBs to strengthen consultation with stakeholders and embrace inter-institutional collaboration with government authorities not normally associated with elections, such as public health authorities and disaster management bodies. It was suggested that developing better advance operational planning and stronger inter-institutional collaboration will augur well for future management of elections during future disaster periods. Effective communication and voter education has been crucial.
Second, the need for safe voting and campaigning processes during the pandemic has forced EMBs to embrace new methods of voting procedures, such as postal voting and absentee voting, new facilitation measures for voters at polling station, the introduction of new technologies in the electoral cycle that allow “more distant” participation by voters, and a process of capacity building among election officials. As a consequence, inclusivity has been enhanced with voter turnout generally maintained at pre-pandemic levels, or in some instances, enhanced. Effective communication and voter education has played a crucial role in maintaining or improving voter turnout.
Third, the penetration of digital campaigning has deepened, requiring greater attention by EMBs. Some EMBs are actively engaging in the digital environment for voter education and to combat misinformation.
Fourth, EMBs need to build resilience in their system to conduct elections with integrity and legitimacy during any future new natural disaster including the conduct of elections under the shadow of Covid in future.
The Cambridge Conference on Electoral Democracy (CCED), which is conducting virtual seminars focusing on the subject of conduct of elections by EMBs during the pandemic, has served as a very meaningful platform for sharing and exchanging innovative practices and new learnings that have emerged in the process.