‘Single use facilities’ to make voting safe
Single-use pencils, perspex screens and no overnight count will be just some of the changes introduced at the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election.
Scotland’s chief medical officer has also written to those in the shielding category encouraging them to get a postal or proxy vote.
The election is scheduled for May 6 but voting in the middle of the pandemic will be very different in Perth and Kinross.
Enhanced hygiene measures will also be in place at the forthcoming March 25 Almond and Earn by-election and were first brought in at the two recent November Perth City by-elections.
PKC said there was “no significant increase” in postal voting at the November 2020 by-elections. However, the number of postal votes is “anticipated” to increase in May.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Gregor Smith has written to adults in the shielding category encouraging them to get a postal or proxy vote.
In his letter he also encourages others living in the household to consider how they vote safely.
Dr Smith has written: “As someone on the shielding list, I would encourage you to vote by post, or by asking someone you trust to vote on your behalf (a ‘proxy vote’).
“This is so that you can avoid a busy indoor space, such as a polling station, and reduce your risk of catching coronavirus (COVID-19).
“You might also want to discuss this advice with any other people you live with, so that they can help reduce your risk by choosing to vote from home as well.”
A letter has also been sent to parents of under 16s in the shielding category encouraging parents to get a postal or proxy vote to reduce the risk of exposing their children to COVID.
And for voters who do turn up in person to vote there will the option to bring your own pen/pencil - should you choose.
A PKC spokesperson said: “Single use pencils will be available for voters but they may also use their own pen/ pencil if they wish.”
PKC will be following all the national guidance.
The council’s spokesperson added: “Polling places will have additional COVID information signage, hand sanitiser and perspex screens, voters will be asked to wear masks (and can be provided) and additional staff should be in place to meet voters at the entrance to assist.”
And there will be no bleary-eyed overnight totting up of ballots.
The count in Perth and Kinross will get underway the following day on May 7 at Bells Sports Centre.
Earlier this month Malcom Burr convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland - issued guidance which stated the count must begin on May 7.
Mr Burr said next-day counts were well-accepted procedure for local elections and “allow a greater level of resilience within election teams”.