Australia’s upcoming federal election will cost the taxpayer a record $400 million, having to contend with Covid health concerns.
The election has not yet been called by the government, but is widely expected to take place in May.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers called it “the most complex election in history”.
He also specified that voters will not need to be vaccinated in order to attend a polling place and cast their vote.
Mr Rogers said polling arrangements would adhere to the Covid restrictions of individual states and would adapt should rules change between now and then.
“We will be implementing whatever state health order is in place in those individual states to make sure that polling can take place,” Mr Rogers said.
“When you turn up to a polling place you’re going to see the sorts of things you would see if you went to venue … masks, social distancing, QR codes.”
Voters and electoral staff will have to wear masks, with the public required to bring their own.
Members of the public do not need to be vaccinated in order to vote, however electoral staff will need to be.
During polling the AEC will be using and sanitising 4.5 millions pencils and dispensing over 63,000 litres of hand sanitiser to ensure a safe process.
“Every voter will receive a clean pencil,” Mr Rogers said.
For the first time, in 2022 Australians can also bring their own pen or pencil to the polls in order to cast their vote.
While voting is intended to take place in person, the Australian Electoral Commision is expecting to see an increase in postal votes due to Covid concerns.
“The Australian election is supposed to be an in person voting experience so it’s a community event, it’s transparent,” Mr Rogers said.
“We’re urging people to make sure they’re adhering to their obligations by turning out to vote, and it’s only those exceptions then where postal voting occurs.”
He added that the more votes there are arriving by post, the longer it will likely take to receive a result.
A police officer will be posted to the central command and control centre but police will not have a presence at individual polling venues.
“Were we to have a police presence at the polls that would be a fundamentally different election from the one Australians are used to,” Mr Rogers said.
“The Australian vote is one of the most secure and transparentxjmtzyw in the world. We are confident in being able to conduct a good election.”
