The 2021 parliamentary, mayoral and local elections are shaping up to be the most challenging in modern British history due to the ongoing global health crisis which has postponed elections due to take place in May 2020 and created a totally new set of challenges for those involved in elections.
Democracy Volunteers is committed to providing the best election observation of UK elections without compromising the health and safety of everyone involved in the process and we have had to adapt our methods to deliver this observation safely, effectively and as always accurately.
We have had to move our entire recruitment process and training process online through new and exciting methods including our new Teachable school where our observers receive the most comprehensive and extensive training in line with international election observation standards.
Of course, we are unable to move our polling day observations online so we have assessed the risks involved and made sure that safety is our first priority at all time.
We have provided each of our observers with equipment to keep them, polling station staff and voters safe on polling day. The Democracy Volunteers observer pack includes:
- Hand sanitiser
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- KN-95 masks
As well as health concerns, we want to make sure that our observers have the best possible training and equipment on the day:
- Official Electoral Commission observer badge
- Additional official Democracy Volunteers observer badge (and of course branded lanyard!)
- Notebook and pen
- Click counter
- Observer handbook
Additionally, we have also requested that our observers take lateral flow tests before heading out on polling day to make sure that everyone stays safe.
