Covid: what are the rules for voting in the presidential election?

The two rounds of the 2022 presidential election will take place on April 10 and 24. This political episode will take place in a context where the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is once again circulating very actively on French territory, due to the Omicron BA.2 variant and the easing of health restrictions.

This epidemic activity has an impact on the organization of the election. There is a “Covid-elections liaison committee”, chaired by Jean-Denis Combrexelle, which associates the main political parties with a specific protocol for the proper conduct of the vote – concerning the electoral campaign then the two rounds.

In a document published on March 30, 2022, this committee disseminated the rules that will apply during the ballot.

Wearing a mask and distancing: what are the rules for voting?

L’office entrance will not be conditioned more than normal:

• No proof of vaccination or negative test will be requested;
• No gauge will be put in place to restrict the number of people present, even if “ access to the polling station can be regulated and entry and exit must be separated to avoid crowded situations “.

Regarding wearing a mask, this will not be mandatory. However, the government establishes a “recommendation” for:

• The elderly, immunocompromised, chronically ill and fragile, as well as for their caregivers;
• Symptomatic people;
• People who are contacts at risk;
• People who have tested positive for Covid-19, up to 7 days after their release from isolation (you can however request a power of attorney, even the day before, in order to remain isolated).

let’s remember that even when the mask is no longer mandatory, nothing prevents you from deciding on your own to wear it, including an FFP2 mask which proves to be more protective. This option should also be facilitated in polling places. Thus, in all polling stations, “ surgical masks will be made available to voters and people participating in the organization or conduct of the poll who wish to wear them “.

The protocol specifies that polling station staff may ask voters wearing a mask to remove it briefly if it is necessary to verify their identity.

Finally, the people involved in the organization of the ballot in the polling stations must have access to self-tests if they so wish.

Polling station hygiene

Hygiene rules are imposed in all polling stations:

• To ensure the possibility of hand washing, a washing point or a hydro-alcoholic gel distribution spot will be made available and “ at two distinct points in order to avoid the crossing of flows » ;
• The material (pens, ballot boxes, voting booths) will be cleaned frequently during polling » ;
• Polling stations should be aired regularly — 10 minutes per hour; and if possible be equipped with CO2 sensors.

The rules and recommendations of the health protocol for this election “ could, if necessary, be adjusted according to the evolution of the health situation “, specifies the document.

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