Samsung Switching to e-Voting in This Year’s AGM Due to Coronavirus

South Korea based tech company Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KRX: 005930) announced it will be switching to an electronic system of voting during this year’s Annual General Meeting slated for March 18.

This will be the first time in the company’s history to use such method, the company says it resulted to adopting this method so as to curtail the spread of deadly coronavirus.

Samsung says it adhered to all instructions from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance in setting up the e-voting mechanism.

Samsung’s shareholders showing symptoms of the coronavirus or those who have visited place with where risk of contracting the virus is high won’t be allowed to physically attend the meeting but they will be voting electronically.

People considered being in a higher risk if they contract the virus like the old (above 65 years) and pregnant women will only be allowed to vote electronically.

The upcoming meeting is set to take place 18 miles south from the country’s capital Seoul at a convention center in Suwon. The center has a capacity of 3,000 guests so it’s estimated a similar number of Samsung’s investors plus employees will be attending.

The company posted the updates on Monday on its websites urging shareholders to utilize this chance by voting online since the platform will be open until March 17.

Additionally, this year’s AGM will be fitted with thermal cameras and contactless thermometers, attendees with cough and showing fever like symptoms might be barred from accessing the meeting.

According to the website, such individuals exhibiting the symptoms will be directed towards a location away from the main the main hall where the meeting will be happening.

South Korea is the second Asian country hit by the coronavirus pandemic on Monday only, the country recorded 74 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 8,236.