Pecularities and Consequences of the Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Election Process in the World

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on election processes and election results. Using the complex of general, logical and empirical scientific methods, the consequences and main forms of influence of the pandemic on the election process: change (postponing) the election date; use of non-traditional (alternative) voting methods; application of special mechanisms to protect citizens from the spread of the coronavirus infection during elections; changes in the level of citizens participation in the elections process; change in the quality and democracy of the electoral process; change in the dynamics of morbidity due to participation in elections, etc. have been distinguished. The peculiarities of applying the mentioned forms of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the elections process on the example of foreign countries have been analyzed. It has been concluded, that in the initial stages of the pandemic the typical reaction of governments of most countries was the postponement of the election dates. At the same time, undemocratic leaders used the pandemic as an excuse to maximize and usurp their power. Subsequently, it became more common to hold elections on the date set by law using alternative voting methods or using special security measures during elections with the traditional voting method at polling stations. It has been shown that the coronavirus pandemic did not significantly affect the democratic nature of the election process (democratic countries held elections in accordance with democratic standards, and non-democratic countries - with their violations). At the same time, the coronavirus pandemic mostly caused a decrease in voter turnout. An increase in the incidence has also been observed in the post-election period.