[LINK] Online voting won't solve every problem

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Online voting won't solve every problem
Stewart Fist, Crossroads
The Australian
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,3054665%5E15418%5E%5Enbv%5E15309,00.html

THE NRMA is introducing online voting. Its recent reputation has not been
one of excessive concern with democratic principles, nor has it always
promoted equal opportunity for membership influence or expression. So this
is something new.

The organisation expects an increase in voter participation.

I don't question the motives of those pushing for online voting, but we
need to consider the real and potential problems before we rush in.

Let's not introduce it just because it is viewed as modern.

Mutuals always have problems persuading members to vote,

But the NRMA probably does better than most because members receive a
monthly copy of Open Road.

This can be used to encourage voting and, of course, it also serves as a
vehicle for executive propaganda.

This means the organisation can seem more democratic than most mutuals,
while acting in a way guaranteed to resist change, since the dominant
faction will always control the main propaganda link with members.

<snip to end>

-- 
When the political columnists say "Every thinking man" they mean
themselves, and when candidates appeal to "Every intelligent voter" they
mean everybody who is going to vote for them.
-- Franklin P Adams

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
brd@dynamite.com.au
brd@austarmetro.com.au