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02/05/2003
UK’s pilot voting schemes hailed as success
Voter apathy was a hallmark of the recent elections, as only a third of the electorate turned to cast their votes, but various pilot voting schemes have been hailed as a success.
While the figures for the all-postal ballots are not yet available, in 28 out of the 33 pilots, the average turnout was just under 50%, compared with a general turnout of 33%.
In addition to postal voting the other pilot schemes, which had been in operation during yesterday's elections, included voting by digital TV, via the internet, text messaging and by touch telephone.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson said: “Everyone recognised that there was a challenge for democracies the world over to increase voter turnout. We were obviously looking at a number of different ways to reinvigorate democracy. The results we had so far were clearly encouraging.”
According to preliminary results, in the 59 local authorities where there had been a choice, some 15% of voters had used one of these methods to cast their vote.
However, Internet think-tank the Foundation for Information Policy Research (FIPR) warned that electronic voting systems such as those being trialled in the local government elections may lead to major problems, and could severely damage the public's confidence in the electoral process.
The FIPR said it would be vital for the democratic process that UK government plans to introduce e-voting in the general election after next be carried out in a safe and secure way that commands the trust of the UK's voters.
FIPR Director Dr. Ian Brown said: "We don't think voters should need a PhD to understand the security of our voting system. The only safe way to allow electronic voting is through machines controlled by election officials that produce an auditable paper trail. Anything else is an invitation for fraud to hackers and virus writers around the world, and could destroy public confidence in our elections."
In December last year, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford announced that, following consultation with the Electoral Commission, a limited number of local authorities have been granted applications to hold all-postal and other forms of electoral voting pilots during the May 2003 local elections.
(SP)
While the figures for the all-postal ballots are not yet available, in 28 out of the 33 pilots, the average turnout was just under 50%, compared with a general turnout of 33%.
In addition to postal voting the other pilot schemes, which had been in operation during yesterday's elections, included voting by digital TV, via the internet, text messaging and by touch telephone.
The Prime Minister’s Official Spokesperson said: “Everyone recognised that there was a challenge for democracies the world over to increase voter turnout. We were obviously looking at a number of different ways to reinvigorate democracy. The results we had so far were clearly encouraging.”
According to preliminary results, in the 59 local authorities where there had been a choice, some 15% of voters had used one of these methods to cast their vote.
However, Internet think-tank the Foundation for Information Policy Research (FIPR) warned that electronic voting systems such as those being trialled in the local government elections may lead to major problems, and could severely damage the public's confidence in the electoral process.
The FIPR said it would be vital for the democratic process that UK government plans to introduce e-voting in the general election after next be carried out in a safe and secure way that commands the trust of the UK's voters.
FIPR Director Dr. Ian Brown said: "We don't think voters should need a PhD to understand the security of our voting system. The only safe way to allow electronic voting is through machines controlled by election officials that produce an auditable paper trail. Anything else is an invitation for fraud to hackers and virus writers around the world, and could destroy public confidence in our elections."
In December last year, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford announced that, following consultation with the Electoral Commission, a limited number of local authorities have been granted applications to hold all-postal and other forms of electoral voting pilots during the May 2003 local elections.
(SP)
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07 April 2003
E-voting pilot schemes introduced for local elections
Under electoral pilot programmes to be introduced for this May's local elections, up to 1.4 million people could be able to register their vote electronically. Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said that the new technology being piloted will not only make it easier to vote but will also make the process more efficient.
E-voting pilot schemes introduced for local elections
Under electoral pilot programmes to be introduced for this May's local elections, up to 1.4 million people could be able to register their vote electronically. Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said that the new technology being piloted will not only make it easier to vote but will also make the process more efficient.
27 August 2004
All-postal voting should be abandoned, says watchdog
The all-postal voting pilots that were carried in northern England during the European elections were marred by problems and should not be pursued in the future, the Electoral Commission has found.
All-postal voting should be abandoned, says watchdog
The all-postal voting pilots that were carried in northern England during the European elections were marred by problems and should not be pursued in the future, the Electoral Commission has found.
04 May 2006
Voting under way in local elections
Voting is under way in the local council elections in England. In all 4,360 council seats are up for election in 176 out of the 386 councils, including all 32 London boroughs. Around a third of the seats are also up for election in 36 metropolitan authorities and 20 unitary authorities.
Voting under way in local elections
Voting is under way in the local council elections in England. In all 4,360 council seats are up for election in 176 out of the 386 councils, including all 32 London boroughs. Around a third of the seats are also up for election in 36 metropolitan authorities and 20 unitary authorities.
24 April 2003
Local election test ground for e-voting
New ways to vote, including Digital TV, text messaging, touch-tone telephone, internet and voting at electronic kiosks, are set to be piloted in English council elections. This year 17 e-voting pilot schemes are taking place, giving 1.4 million people the opportunity to vote electronically.
Local election test ground for e-voting
New ways to vote, including Digital TV, text messaging, touch-tone telephone, internet and voting at electronic kiosks, are set to be piloted in English council elections. This year 17 e-voting pilot schemes are taking place, giving 1.4 million people the opportunity to vote electronically.
15 April 2005
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
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