South Korea Still Holds Its Election Despite COVID-19 Outbreak; Politicians Told to ‘Smile with Their Eyes’

Singapore isn’t the only country hoping to hold its General Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

South Korea, the 22nd highest infected country during the Covid-19 pandemic, has gone ahead with its National Assembly election.

Voters Appear Wearing Masks And Practising Safe Distancing

On 15 Apr, BBC reported that South Korea went on with its National Assembly election despite the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Voters have to wear a mask and stand one-metre apart while waiting in line.

They need to have their temperatures checked, have their hands disinfected and wear plastic gloves before they are given the voting slip and allowed to proceed to the voting booths.

It Was Surprisingly Peaceful & Orderly

People were afraid that the voting centres would be chaotic but it wasn’t.

BBC reported that the centres were orderly and people waited for their turns quietly.

More than 11 million South Koreans voted in advance, either by post or at the early polling stations set up around the country.

Many said that even though there’s a pandemic going on, they have the “right to vote”.

“This is about our right to vote.”

“Voting is something we must do.”

Solutions For People Who Are Unable To Vote At The Designated Polling Stations

If anyone has a temperature exceeding 37.5 degrees Celsius, they’ll be brought to a separate voting area and kept separate from others.

People who are currently getting treated for Covid-19 can also mail their ballots over.

Polling booths were also set up outside Covid-19 treatment centres and residential centres to facilitate voting for the patients.

The booths, set just outside the centres, are supposed to prevent the spread of infection during polling day.

As for the 60,000 people who are in quarantine across South Korea, they can only head over to the stations to vote at certain times.

They’re only allowed to leave their homes from 5.20pm until 7pm on polling day and can only walk or use their own car.

And once they’re home, they’ll have to call their health officials or the police will be deployed to look for them.

South Koreans Were Happy To Vote

The manpower requirements for this was crazy.

550,000 staff were involved in preparing the polling booths and ensuring that polling day goes smoothly.

About 14,000 polling stations were disinfected and queue lines marked to ensure that everyone stands at a safe distance.

Most South Koreans seem happy to vote despite the hassle.

“Everyone recognised the seriousness of the situation and showed mature citizenship by encouraging the electoral officials rather than complaining.”

A woman who was in a residential centre for people with mild symptoms said:

“At first, I thought I couldn’t vote and I was disappointed.

“But once I heard we would be able to vote as well I was thankful for this opportunity.”

Smile With Your Eyes

Any elections from anywhere in the world would be the same: loud and chaotic with messages blasted right and left.

But in South Korea’s election, it’s quiet and orderly and politicians are now using fist bumps and elbow bumps to greet people instead of shaking hands.

Dr Jung from the Korean Centre for Disease Control has advised the political candidates to “smile with their eyes”, presumedly so that they can remain masked while rallying people to vote for them.

One of the political candidates, Thae Yong-ho, made a rap for his political campaign.

Nice.

Singapore General Elections

Previously, it was reported that the Singapore government is now making preparations for the General Elections to go on despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

So if you want to know if they’ll proceed with their plans, just monitor South Korea and see the aftermath of their elections.

If Covid-19 cases do not spike up, we’ll probably see a GE in June 2020, as mentioned by political experts here in Singapore.

For now, just stay at home and download the Goody Feed app for updates that you probably can’t see on Facebook lah. Or if you’re a young fellow who can’t vote yet, follow us on Telegram.