If experiments in using e-voting in this week's local
government election are a success, the majority of the population
would take advantage of them, new research has
claimed.
The survey, carried out by Mori for the Electoral Commission,
says that 60% of those questioned would vote electronically if
given the chance of using a reliable system.
On Thursday (1 May) more than 1.5 million people in 18 different
council areas will get the chance to use the internet, text
messaging, electronic kiosks and digital TV to cast their
ballot.
Against a background of a 59% poll in the 2001 UK General
Election and 32% of eligible voters taking part in last year's
English local elections, the Mori poll reveals that new voting
methods could increase turn-out dramatically.
The Electoral Commission - the independent body set up to
increase participation in elections - said 21% of those surveyed
said they had not voted because the polling station was
inconvenient for them.
If they had the chance 41% of those questioned wished to use the
internet, 33% text messaging and 26% digital TV.
Nicole Smith, head of policy at the commission, said, "People
still care about education, taxes, policing and healthcare as much
as before, but turn-outs have been falling in part due to a lack of
convenience for voters.
"When life is very hectic, a trip to the polling station can be
hard to fit in. So it is important we look at all kinds of ways in
which we can make it easy for people to use their vote.''
A separate poll by ICM shows that e-voting would dramatically
increase the number of young people voting and expressing interest
in political party policies and manifestos to 40%.
But a third of those questioned expressed concern about the
security of online polling.
Stuart James, deputy chairman of public sector consultancy
HEDRA, said e-voting had the potential to "re-engage young people
in the political process.'' But he added, "Fears over fairness and
web security are largely a matter of perception rather than
reality, but there is still a need for the government to educate
the public about this new voting method.''