'Very upsetting': Men turn on each other at polling booth over coronavirus fears
Two men have been filmed in a physical scuffle outside a polling booth in Ipswich in South East Queensland.
A video was posted on Facebook by a woman named Paige May, who said it was taken at Redbank Plains.
The two men allegedly got into the altercation over coronavirus fears.
"Humans turning against each other from fear of the virus. Very upsetting," Ms May wrote.
A spokesman from Queensland Police said no report had been made, but police were aware of the video.
Meanwhile the large number of postal votes may mean Queenslanders will wait longer than usual to find out who will get a seat on their council.
About 20,000 people had voted at Brisbane City Hall over the past two weeks, said a volunteer who did not want to be named.
It is just one of 200 booths across the Brisbane city.
Less than a dozen voters were present at midday on Saturday and the city centre was largely empty.
Those that were there had covered their mouths with masks and were using provided hand sanitiser before and after voting.
The volunteer said voters had moved through quickly because there were more staff compared to suburban polling places where lines have snaked back on themselves all week.
Another volunteer said the overall number of people turning out to the hall was less than usual.
"But there has been a steady flow of people," she said.
All 77 local government areas, as well as two seats in the Queensland parliament are up for grabs on Saturday.
More than half of voters had already cast their ballot before election day, as the fear of coronavirus overshadows the polls.
Over half a million people applied for a postal vote, which could mean many results won't be known by the end of Saturday.
Patrick Condren, Labor's candidate for Brisbane Lord Mayor, said he was prepared to wait for the result.
"Given the amount of postal votes that are out there, I think it's going to be a couple of days before we get a definitive result," he said.
For those who will cast their vote in person, the state's electoral commission has asked they bring their own pen.
But there had been a low turnout at some booths, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
"Most of the polling booths that I've seen look very quiet, which means that there is ample opportunity for people to vote without getting into a crowd situation," he added.
"There's no real social interaction at those booths."
Limits on the number people allowed to gather indoors means fewer people within a polling station at any one time, and potentially long queues.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young not only told voters to "get in and get out", but also urged people to protect themselves from the sun.
Queenslanders in two state government electorates will also be voting in by-elections at Bundamba (Ipswich) and Currumbin (Gold Coast).
These polls will not change the government but will be watched closely as indicators for October's general election.
Polling booths closed at 6pm (local time).
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
