The AEC introduces ’emergency provision’ to tackle COVID-19

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will allow Australians to vote over the phone if they have tested positive to COVID-19 and are required to isolate.

However the “emergency provision” will only be open for three days; the two days in the lead up to election day, and election day itself.

That’s because on Wednesday applications for postal votes are still open.

But the AEC stressing that it’s only available to those who need it.

“Unfortunately it won’t be incredibly smooth,” Evan Ekin-Smith, Spokesperson for the AEC told Heidi Murphy on 3AW Drive.

“This is a real emergency provision that we’re providing here.

“You’ll likely be waiting longer on the phone than you would in the queue at a polling place.

“We’ve stressed to people not to turn up to the ‘phone vote’ if you don’t have to.”

Press PLAY to hear the full interview below 

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