Voters with a high fever will be barred from participating in the parliamentary election
Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the parliamentary elections in Almaty, Kazakhstan, are set to take place on January 10, 2023. The city territorial election commission is actively preparing for the event, with 581 polling stations scheduled to operate on election day.
To ensure the safety of voters and staff, several COVID-19 preventive measures have been implemented. Polling stations will be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and sanitizers. Voters will also be checked for symptoms of acute respiratory illnesses before entering polling stations, including those where ballot boxes are brought.
For voters who exhibit fever symptoms, special care will be taken. These voters will be offered home visits to minimize infection risk in polling stations. The city election commission has announced this measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Local authorities have been instructed to strictly enforce sanitary standards and quarantine requirements at election sites. This includes the use of masks, social distancing, and sanitizing procedures. There is also an emphasis on public awareness campaigns to encourage compliance with health measures during the election process.
The city territorial election commission, led by Chairperson Jeanne Asanova, is providing special protective suits for precinct election commissions that visit voters at home. Voters who cannot come to their polling station can have ballot boxes brought to their home, but the application must be submitted by noon on election day.
From December 26, voters can find their polling station and check their name in the voter lists on Almaty.tv. Voters also have the right to obtain a proxy certificate and vote at a convenient polling station for them.
These measures align with the broader government effort to control COVID-19 spread, including oversight by local leaders to maintain control of epidemiological conditions and ensure the readiness of infrastructure for safe public activities. While detailed step-by-step protocols for every polling station are not specified, the combination of home visits for symptomatic voters and PPE provision in polling stations reflects a comprehensive approach to safeguarding public health during the elections.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the parliamentary elections in Almaty are still scheduled for January 10, demonstrating the city's commitment to democratic processes while prioritizing the health and safety of its citizens.
- To further ensure the health and safety of individuals, the city election commission is also promoting mental health during the elections by encouraging compliance with health measures and offering home visits to voters exhibiting fever symptoms, thus reducing stress and anxiety related to the pandemic.
- In the spirit of fitness and exercise, voters who are unable to visit their polling stations due to health reasons can submit applications for ballot boxes to be brought to their homes, promoting a comfortable and accessible voting experience for all citizens.
