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A record number of voters are set to hit the ballot boxes during this year’s federal election, which will be shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are 17 million Australians enrolled to vote who will be casting their ballots in the 2022 federal election, no later than May 21.
To assist in the polling process 100,000 workers have been hired, which is 10,000 more than in 2019.
The increase in poll workers is due to the need to ensure voting is COVID-safe.
“This will be the largest election in Australia’s history. Both in terms of the numbers of people voting and the numbers of staff we have,” Australian Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers, told 9News.
The coronavirus pandemic is set to have an impact on the election — both on the day and after.
Voters could face delays at polling booths and counting of ballots may take longer because of a forecast rise in postal votes.
Normally around 20 to 30 per cent of seats are too close to call on election night and counters must wait for postal votes to come in.
“If there’s a big increase in postal voting what it might mean is instead of 20 or 30 per cent of the seats, it might be somewhat higher than that. So, we might be waiting some time to actually get that result,” Mr Rogers said.
This year’s election is also set to be the most expensive in Australian history, with costs estimated to be around half-a-billion dollars.
Source: 9News
