Until we reach January 30, 2022, the day of the legislative elections that will decide the new composition of the national parliament, the attention of the Portuguese has not been focused only on party programs, on possible post-election government coalitions and on the gaffes of politicians. . In times of a pandemic, voting remains a civic duty , which, however, must be exercised with maximum security by voters, by those at the polling stations and, especially, by the many thousands of Portuguese who will be confined on the day. of the elections and who cannot be denied the fundamental right to vote, say the authorities. This has been one of the most discussed electoral topics. And, therefore, the health authorities made a point of remembering, recently, the rules of safe voting in these elections . For voters Who will vote in person, must Wearing a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask properly throughout the electoral process; social masks will not be allowed; Maintain the recommended distance while waiting for their turn to vote; Disinfect your hands before and after voting; Preferably use a pen or ballpoint pen to vote. You must also follow the defined and identified circuits in the buildings, compliance with hand disinfection and respiratory etiquette (coughing into the inner part of the elbow, even when wearing a mask), do not cough or sneeze into your hands, avoid physical and remain in place only if necessary to be able to exercise their right to vote. For polling station members Each team member must have, for their exclusive use, a surgical mask or FFP2 mask , certified and reusable, which must be replaced every 4 hours , as well as a gown with an opening at the back, for single use and waterproof, long sleeves, well fitted and covering all clothing. Members of polling stations must have a package of product for hand disinfection available at the polling station. For voters in mandatory confinement The possibility of exercising the right to vote in person by those who are in mandatory confinement was confirmed by the Attorney General's Office, and the health authorities and the Government released the following recommendations: People in mandatory confinement can go to vote in person , whether they are positive for SARS-CoV-2, symptomatic or asymptomatic, or are in prophylactic isolation because they are high-risk contacts; Traveling from the home or place of confinement to the polling place and returning must be carried out in conditions of complete safety, r equiring the permanent use of a surgical mask or FFP2 mask and travel by individual transport or on foot . The use of collective and individual public transport for passengers is not recommended; Polling stations and polling stations can adopt different organization of space and/or time for these voters to vote, namely: Establish a specific voting time – between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, as recommended by the Government. Increase the number of polling stations, so that some can be dedicated to these voters, in alternative circuits at polling stations. It is the municipal councils that, together with the Ministry of Internal Administration, are responsible for managing all the logistics related to this electoral act – providing the places where the polling stations operate, guaranteeing the safety of spaces and people, providing the equipment protection for members of the boards and party delegates, and defining special rules for situations such as the in-person vote of voters in mandatory confinement. The DGS also recommends that, at all polling stations, there are masks available to distribute to voters, material for hand disinfection and conditions for physical distance, and the regular hygiene of voting spaces must also be ensured.
