Local authorities need a further 70,000 people to staff polling stations during the March general election, the home affairs ministry said on Monday, at the opening of a special registration point for new volunteers.

The ministry wants to have an average of four rather than three officials at each place where people can vote, and more people will also be needed to count the ballot papers after voting has taken place.

The government is taking a number of steps to ensure safe voting during the pandemic. Some polling stations will open two days early in an effort to stop people queuing to vote, while elderly people will also be able to vote by post.

‘These are special elections in special times,’ home affairs minister Kasja Ollongren said. ‘I hope many people will want to do their bit for democracy in March because every vote counts.’