[LINK] E-voting controversy in Ireland

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

E-voting controversy in Ireland
Correspondents in Dublin
FEBRUARY 16, 2004  
The Australian
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,8696999%5E15322%5E%5Enbv%5E15306,00.html
 
At the next European Parliament elections in June, Ireland's voters might
find themselves registering their choice with the push of a button rather
than a stroke of a pen - a change which has traditionalists fuming.

Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen, whose remit also takes in
elections, has insisted that the so-called "e-voting system", being
introduced at a cost of around 35 million euros (45 million dollars), will
improve democracy. 
By using a special voting machine rather than the usual method of -
sometimes imprecisely - placing crosses next to candidates' names, errors
could be eliminated, Cullen told the Dail, Ireland's parliament. 

"For reasons such as confusing handwriting, a mistake in numbering, or the
failure to make sure the ballot paper was properly stamped, thousands of
people who made the time to participate in an election (have) had their
votes cast aside," he said. 

With the electronic system, each vote counted with no errors possible,
while tallying the votes was far quicker and more accurate, Cullen argued. 

Opponents are far from convinced. 

.... etc

-- 
Man is a strange animal. He generally cannot read the handwriting on the
wall until his back is up against it
-- Adlai E. Stevenson

Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Canberra Australia
brd at austarmetro.com.au