Early voting numbers promising against backdrop of coronavirus disruption

Queensland’s local council elections are just one of the events that have had a pall cast over them by coronavirus, but there are encouraging signs ahead of polling day.

COMMUNITY leaders fear virus panic may have a dampening effect on our democracy, but early council election voting figures give a glimmer of hope.

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Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA) president Laurence Christie was taken aback by the pervasive nature of the coronavirus angst.

“There a lot of people who are not aware that there is an election on March 28,” Mr Christie said.

“I am just surprised by the blank look that comes up when the issue is raised.

“COVID-19 is just about the only thing on the news and it is drowning out everyone and everything.

The pre-poll centre at Deception Bay on March 16. Photo: David Alexander.

“If there was a bushfire tomorrow I don’t think it will have the prominence it had before.

“So it is going to be very interesting come election day.

“There is a general reluctance by the community to do anything outside of essential activities but I certainly believe that voting is essential for the democracy of the country.

“And there will be a reluctance by some to go vote.”

MHPA has already had to cancel events due to the widespread coronavirus upheaval.

“We are disappointed that we could not have our candidates forum yesterday evening,” Mr Christie said.

“But the association has put two questions to the candidates and expect a response from them by Monday.”

However in a sign of hope Electoral Commission Queensland said early voting numbers had been encouraging.

“The local government elections are going ahead and voting is compulsory, but there are alternate options available if you don’t want to vote on March 28,” an ECQ spokesman said.

“And we have already had a really great showing for early voting.

“People are very keen to have their say and are doing it in a way that suits them, which is great.

“We have extended voting hours at a lot of our early voting centres tonight, next Wednesday and Thursday and for the first time ever we have early voting on a Saturday as well.”

Special accommodation was also granted to voters under self-isolation.

“If you are in quarantine because you have been overseas or been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 you may be eligible for a telephone vote,” the spokesman said.

“You can call our number and check your eligibility to register.”

Volunteers will no longer hand out how-to-vote cards. Photo David Alexander pine rivers press

In an online statement Queensland Electoral Commissioner, Pat Vidgen, said the ECQ had identified polling places with higher expected numbers of voters.

“For these booths, we will put additional measures in place to make sure only 100 people are inside at any one time, and voters waiting outside have the space they need to practice social distancing,” he said.

“Voters should continue to observe the guidelines outlined by the Prime Minister regarding maintaining distances of 1.5m and applying appropriate hygiene practices.

“Staff will be on hand inside the polling booths to help move people through the voting process efficiently.”

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ECQ reported that as at 5pm yesterday almost 100,000 electors had cast their votes on the third day of early voting.

ECQ can be contacted on 1300 881 665.