[LINK] Fwd: vip-l: Electronic votiing

[Stewart Fist]

Jan wrote

>I am concerned taht Queensland is looking further on - looking at options of
>on-line voting so people can vote at home.


It seems to me that this is a major the problem. It is an instant solution
to what a politician perceives as a problem.

In my opinion, voting from home is not desirable, even if it does turn out
the young people's vote and make it easier for the ill and elderly.  It is
only acceptable if it is carefully supervised by independent observers (eg.
in nursing homes).


The main advantage Australia gets from compulsory attendance at the voting
booth (the so-called 'Compulsory Voting' - a non sequitur) is precisely the
fact that the electoral booth officials can see for themselves that the
citizen votes in a place without any possibility of coercion from friends,
family, bosses, thugs, etc.

This is a major factor in making our system the best and safest in the
world.

When you read about all the various ploys used over the years -- those that
have been used by political parties, religious leaders, aristocrats,
military types, oligarchies, business groups, powerbrokers, lobbyists,
thugs, and racists to make it difficult (or 'unwise') for people to vote in
various countries -- you have to see the value of Australia's compulsory
attendance system.

You might believe that is is not needed in the present relatively-benign
political climate (Tweedledum vs. Tweedledee), but it is a form of insurance
for democracy that we need to preserve and defend in every possible way.


-- 
Stewart Fist, writer, journalist, film-maker
70 Middle Harbour Road, LINDFIELD, 2070, NSW, Australia
Ph +61 (2) 9416 7458