Election watch dogs prepare Code of Conduct for Election Observers during COVID19

A group of election monitoring watch dogs prepared a Code of Conduct for election observers to engage in election monitoring activities  of upcoming Parliamentary polls amidst coronavirus pandemic.

At least seven  election monitoring organizations which are planning to observe the 2020 parliamentary elections came up with the guidelines after realizing the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the responsibility to help contain the spread of the disease.

The guidelines are  endorsed by Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL), Campaign for Free & Fair Elections (CaFFE), Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV),  Mothers & Daughters of Lanka (MDL), Movement for Free and Fair Elections (MFFE), National Polls Observation Centre (NPOC) and People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

“Election observers are an integral part of a democratic and transparent electoral process, and this remains true during the unprecedented situation we are currently facing. We remain committed to the highest standards set by international and regional instruments for our line of work.We want, however, to ensure that election observation takes place in the safest possible manner and does not adversely impact voters, polling staff, or other electoral stakeholders,” a collective statement from election watch dogs said.

Accordingly, following guidelines, to be implemented throughout respective election observation activities of the watch dogs:

1. Our organizations are committed to following COVID-19 policies implemented by health authorities, the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, and other government agencies. We will ensure that our staff members and volunteers behave accordingly, and will keep them periodically updated.

2. We will prioritize online forms of communication, to limit as much as possible the need for in-person meetings.

3. Our staff members and volunteers will be instructed to maintain a social distance of at least one meter at all times.

4.We will make the necessary arrangements to avoid physical contact as much as possible.4. Our staff members and volunteers will be instructed to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap or hand sanitizer.
5. Our staff members and volunteers will be required to wear face masks in public and provided guidance on how to wear one properly.
6. We will instruct our staff members and volunteers to limit their use of public transportation as much as possible. Private vehicles will be disinfected before and after use.
7. Our staff members and volunteers will be mandated to keep a daily journal of their activities, including places visited and persons met, to provide health authorities with the information needed for contact tracing, should it be necessary.
8. We will strive to provide staff members and volunteers with adequate health insurance coverage. Their health situation will also be regularly monitored with the help of health professionals, and any person experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to self-isolate.