The United Kingdom’s Electoral Commission recommended the country postpone elections because of the novel coronavirus.
The commission’s chief executive, Bob Posner, sent a letter to Minister of State Chloe Smith on Thursday. Posner raised “serious concerns” about the spread of the coronavirus should elections scheduled for May 7 continue as planned.
“Clearly any decisions to delay elections which are due is significant and would not normally be desirable; however, we are in unprecedented times,” Posner wrote. “We therefore call on the Government to take steps to provide early clarity to all those with an interest in the electoral process; and on the available information and position we recommend the Government now delay the 7 May polls until the autumn.”
Posner noted that federal resources were already stretched thin combating the spread of the coronavirus. The additional duties of setting up and securing polling places while taking steps to limit the spread of disease would likely strain government resources. The disease has also interfered with many political campaigns’ ability to share their messages with voters.
The spread of the coronavirus threatens to hinder voter turnout as many people choose to stay away from polling places to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
“While increased access to post and proxy voting may provide a partial solution for some electors, it would create further and additional pressures and risks in other parts of the system,” Posner wrote.
By Thursday afternoon, the United Kingdom reported 590 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 10 deaths. Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared the coronavirus the “worst public health crisis for a generation.”
