South Korea is holding an election unlike any other.
Voters need to come using masks and stand at least 1m apart. They will have their temperature taken, decontaminate their hands and use plastic gloves.
Just then will they be provided their ballot slip and be permitted to head into the cubicle to cast their tally.
These are just some of the procedures being required to enable the set up National Assembly election to take place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Three hundred seats at the National Assembly being contested. Thirty-five parties have registered prospects, but the race will be between the judgment Minjoo (Democratic) Party and the main opposition, the conservative United Future Party.
The government’s handling of the coronavirus break out has dominated all discussions during this election. It has eclipsed fears of a having a hard time economy and a number of corruption scandals including governmental assistants.
The National Assembly elections are viewed as a bit of springboard to evaluate prospects and celebration popularity ahead of the presidential elections in 2022
‘ Our right to vote’
Some critics feared it would be turmoil. Instead, all I observed on the days of early ballot was calm.
People quietly stood in line at the designated mark, patiently waiting their turn.
” I thought perhaps the election needs to be postponed because individuals would not show up,” one young female citizen informed us. “Now that I’m here and see numerous others, I’m not worried.”
The fear of infection does not seem keeping individuals away.
More than 11 million individuals, about 26%of the population, have cast their votes in advance. Some by post, however many travelled to early polling stations which were set up around the country on Friday and Saturday.
It’s been a record early turnout. It’s likewise the very first time that 18- year-olds have actually been permitted to vote. We met a number of them at Seoul Station all excited to participate. The pandemic has not put them off.
” This has to do with our right to vote,” said one wai