2023-07-09 18:15:43
Time.news – What if the anomalous heat (more than the captivating electoral promises of the last hour) was the real factor determining the next Spanish elections? The doubt has legitimately made its way in the wake of the alarms raised both by meteorologists and by local authorities, still engaged in the difficult search for personnel to supervise polling stations on 23 July.
It is the European edition of the American newspaper Politico that has rekindled the spotlight on “external factors” that could directly affect abstention and the smooth running of voting operations. In the Iberian country which, exceptionally, has been dealing with prohibitive temperatures since spring, it is the first time ever that votes are held in the middle of summer.
The scrutiny, anticipated by the socialist premier Sanchez after the electoral defeat in the municipal elections at the end of May, however, it could reserve more than one surprise due to the “hot” summer: in addition to abstention, the “chaos seats”, suggests Politico by publishing the interview with an official of the constituency of Le’on (Castile) who wished to remain anonymous. According to the latter, only in this capital “are recorded up to 900 vacancies in polling stations” because citizens are hiding or don’t open the mail in order to avoid “being enlisted” to man the polling stations.
Spain – where it is expected that at least a quarter of the electorate will be on vacation on April 23 – therefore risks having to face a probable “chaos at the polling stations” if the problem is not resolved in the next two weeks. Spanish law stipulates that each polling station is manned by three registered voters, chosen by lot.
The authorities, out of caution, stand exceptionally by drawing lots for up to nine electors to deal with possible last-minute “deserters”. The (bad) victims are forced to serve during the 12 hours in which the polling stations remain open and risk a fine and up to a year in prison if they refuse. “But even with the threat of a prison sentence – underlines Politico – the authorities are having difficulty finding enough people to do the job”.
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