[Political Circles] The government prepares for the Legislative Council elections by home isolates or unable to vote

Political situation

Author: Zheng Rongdi

2020-07-08 21:22

The once-silent New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic once again turned on a red light. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Center for Health Protection, told the press conference that there was a third wave of outbreaks in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Tsang Kwok Wai, said in the Legislative Council last month that he would formulate various election day voting arrangements in response to the development of the epidemic situation, including studying whether the voter system under compulsory quarantine could be allowed to go out for a short time. It is understood that the authorities considered that if household quarantines were allowed to vote at the polling station, voters would inevitably be exposed to the ballot papers, increasing the risk of cross-infection. Therefore, quarantined persons will have a great chance not to go out to vote.

The government considers that if household segregators are allowed to vote, exposure to ballots will increase the risk of cross infection. (Photo by Luo Junhao)

The source said that the voting arrangements for the "under the epidemic" in the September Legislative Council elections are still at the research stage and no final decision has been made. However, two preparations have been made, including reference to the foreign government's election arrangements, to study whether it can be carried out with the lowest risk plan.

According to the Vaccination Guide issued by the Singapore Electoral Bureau, persons diagnosed and those undergoing quarantine inspection are not allowed to vote. However, those who are self-isolated at home can go to the polling station to vote at the government's predetermined time (from 7 to 8 pm) and need to go home immediately after voting.

Countermeasure by country: wear gloves, bring your own stationery, vote by time

In the South Korean elections, all voters must wear masks, take body temperature, use hand rub and disposable gloves, and keep a distance of 1 meter from each other. Patients with New Coronavirus can vote by email and go to a special ticket station. If the home quarantine does not show symptoms, they can go to the polling station at 6 pm after the official polling time ends. They are allowed to leave the quarantine site at 5:20 pm and they must notify the person responsible for surveillance before going out. Can walk or use a private car to go to the ticket station, and return to the house before 7 o'clock, during which must wear a mask.

In the vote of Kaohsiung Mayor Korea Yu’s recall on June 6, Taiwan’s home quarantine and home quarantine are not allowed to enter the polling place to vote and visit for invoicing. In Europe, Croatia’s congressional elections vote to ban people who have been diagnosed from voting. People in quarantine can arrange to vote at home if they apply early.

The source said that the authorities will make a final assessment two weeks before the polling day (September 6), before making the final decision. "If the vote seems to have broken out recently, the chances are low."

If the quarantine at home cannot vote, how many people will be affected? The CHP stated in a press conference in April that the Department of Mandatory Quarantine for Foreigners Returning to Hong Kong has issued more than 58,000 home quarantine orders, "All housing companies will have them nearby", so the list will no longer be announced.

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