Due to the severity of COVID-19 which affected more that 5.5 million people and killed about 400 thousand people across the world, many countries are canceling and postponing their national, parliament and regional elections. Nonetheless, some countries or states have conducted their election even during this time of hardship.
Documents avowed that from 21 February 2020 until 21 May 2020, at least sixty (60) countries and territories across the globe have decided to postpone national and subnational elections due to COVID-19, out of which at least eighteen (18) countries and territories have decided to postpone national elections and referendums.
Ten countries in Africa have postponed their election due to the Pandemic. While Ethiopia is among them that postponed its parliamentary election, Municipal in elections in Hassi El Ferid, and Jbeniana, Tunisia by-election in ward 16 of Chiredzi rural district council, Zimbabwe and Niamina West Constituency by-election, Gambia are also suspended.
Also, all municipal by-elections and voter registration activities in South Africa and bi and partial election in Nigeria, Gabon, Zambia, Kenya and Uganda are also postponed.
Moreover, 13 countries from South and North America have also suspended their Presidential, supplementary, municipal and primary elections due to the hardness of the covid-19. Accordingly, primary election in 15 states across the USA and several local elections around the country is postponed.
Local municipal elections in Chipao, Ayacucho district, Peru, municipal elections in the Cordovan City of Río Cuarto, Argentina, constitutional referendum of Chile, general elections in Bolivia and local elections in Coahuila and Hidalgo, Mexico are also postponed due to the case.
Similarly 10 Asian countries and territories have also suspended their parliamentary, local and municipal election due to the same reason. While, Syria, Sri Lanka and Iran have suspended their parliamentary election, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh and India have also postponed their regional election. Pakistan and Oman are also among them.
This pandemic also brought its influence for 23 European countries. Second round of local elections in France (originally scheduled for 22 March 2020 moved to 21 June 2020), Senate by-elections in Teplice, Czech Republic, Local elections in Hessen and Saxony, Germany, Municipal and mayoral elections in Vorarlberg, Austria are among the election postponed to the future due to the pandemic.
Furthermore, local elections in 118 England councils, the London Assembly and for seven England regional mayors as well as police and crime commissioners in England (originally scheduled for the first week of May 2020, moved to May 2021), Police and crime commissioners in Wales (originally scheduled for the first week of May 2020, moved to May 2021), Local government by-elections.
Likewise, 5 Oceania countries have also put their election on hold as a result of social distancing to prevent the pandemic. Subsequently, by elections for Central Honiara and North East Guadalcanal Constituencies, Solomon Islands, Government General Elections, Autonomous Bougainville Papua New Guinea and Parliamentary elections, Kiribati are among the postponed elections.
On the contrary, about thirty (30) countries and territories have decided to hold national or subnational elections as originally planned despite concerns related to COVID-19 out of which at least ten (10) countries have held national elections or referendums. Yet, Special health and safety measures were introduced for many of these elections.
Legislative elections in Israel (2 March 2020); general elections in Guyana (2 March 2020) Kuomintang chairperson elections, Taiwan (7 March 2020), local elections in France (15 March 2020); local elections in Bavaria, Germany (first round 16 March 2020 and second round 29 March 2020) and partial parliamentary elections in Hâncești, Moldova (15 March 2020) were among the conducted election in March 2020.
As well as, second round municipal elections in Geneva, Switzerland (4 April 2020) by postal voting only, democratic primary elections in Wisconsin, USA (7 April 2020), parliamentary elections in Kiribati (14 April 2020), parliamentary elections in South Korea (15 April 2020), parliamentary elections, second round of voting in Mali (19 April 2020) were conducted parallel with the pandemic.
Additionally, local elections in Benin (17 May 2020), Presidential elections in Burundi (20 May 2020), Biennial Election to the Maharashtra Legislative Councils by the members of Legislative Assembly, India (21 May 2020) have taken place this month.
However; due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has canceled its schedule and has suspended activities outlined in the elections timetable. And the House of Peoples Representatives have also decided to suspend the national election.
BY HIZKEL HAILU
