Postal voting pilots "marred" with problems

Friday, 27 August 2004 12:01 AM

The Electoral Commission's report into the conduct of the all-postal ballots in June's European Parliament and local elections has concluded that they were "marred by problems."

All-postal voting was trialled in the North West, North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber during the June European Parliament and local elections as part of the Government's drive to improve political participation. At the time, there were numerous allegations of fraud, delays in receiving ballot papers, and even the threat of judicial challenge to the results.

In a hard-hitting report the Electoral Commission concludes that: "all-postal voting should no longer be pursued for use at UK elections."

However, it gives the go-ahead for the all-postal ballot on the proposed North East regional assembly on November 4th, arguing that "making significant changes to the process now would increase the risks."

Among the problems cited with the pilots include "the timescale imposed, complexity of the voting method, logistical issues, and reports of abuse, which resulted in a lessening of public confidence."

It notes that despite the high profile allegations of fraud only two claims have led to arrest and those returning officers who have conducted "integrity checks.report that no evidence of fraud or other irregularities have been found."

As not all returning officers have completed their audits, and as prosecutions can be brought up to two years after the close of the poll, "the Commission is not yet able to conclude whether the increased use of postal voting across Great Britain has led to an increase in fraud or malpractice."

The key recommendation of the report is that in the future, voters should be given the choice to visit traditional polling stations if they wish.

Chairman of the Commission, Sam Younger, said that whilst he remains committed to exploring different voting forms and technologies "the law and policy supporting remote voting methods need further reform before secure and convenient elections can be delivered.

"Voting methods aside, it is important not to lose sight of the need to persuade electors that the democratic process is relevant and important, and that voting provides an opportunity to influence political decisions that affect people's lives. That is the responsibility of politicians at all levels and, arguably, the media. "

The Government is called upon to introduce a "robust new legislative framework" for postal voting arguing that the existing provisions are "archaic" and that it must be "urgently reformed - particularly provisions for secrecy and security."

Until a model that offers choice to the electorate is developed, the Electoral Commission recommends that no further piloting should occur.

The end of postal balloting is not, however, recommended- as the Commission notes that much of the public appreciates the convenience. However, "the process, security and capacity of electoral administrators to manage the volume of postal votes must be improved. "

Specific reforms include the replacement of household registration with individual registration and an update offence of "undue influence" and a new offence relating to the fraudulent completion of postal vote applications.

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