Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 3

Written Answers. - Electronic Voting.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

336 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if, before or during the tendering process for the introduction of electronic voting, the possibility of requiring a voter verified audit trail was considered; and if so, the reason it was not made a part of the final requirement. [28225/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

337 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to statistical evidence to support his claim that electronic voting would increase voter turnout. [28226/03]

Arthur Morgan

Question:

342 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to investigate the weakness in the proposed electronic voting system; the measures which can be taken to eliminate the potential for fraud in the system; and the way in which voters can be reassured of the security of the system. [28294/03]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 337 and 342 together.

An audit trail forms an integral part of the electronic voting and counting system from ballot paper preparation and printing, programming of ballot modules, installation of ballot papers and preparation of voting machines to testing the machines prior to their despatch to polling stations. Further verification procedures are undertaken by the presiding officer in the polling station before voting commences and when the poll closes.

The verification of votes cast is also provided by the system. When using the voting machine, the voter will see his or her preferences beside the candidates' photographs and the details of each preference will be shown separately on the voting machine display screen. Before pressing the "Cast Vote" button, a voter can amend the ballot preferences recorded on the voting machine screen. Finally, the system software will allow for the printing of a ballot paper for each vote cast, without attribution to an individual voter, where a court order to this effect is obtained at an election petition. The inclusion in the system of a facility for printing a ballot paper as the cast vote button is pressed and its retention in the voting machine was not considered necessary due to the proven accuracy of the software used, as certified by the international accredited institute and the voting machine's track record of many years use in the Netherlands and in parts of Germany. Some of the proponents of this facility have now accepted that it would not be useful for an audit on the election result as a different result would be obtained due to the legal provision to mix the votes. In addition, the use of such a facility would probably be unconstitutional as it would create a direct link between the voter and the ballot paper which the Supreme Court ruled against in the McMahon case in 1971.

In relation to voter turnout, the principal aim in introducing electronic voting and counting is to seek to modernise the election system in Ireland including making it easier for electors to vote. Its impact on voter turnout will not be definitively known until after its use for a number of polls. I have expressed the view previously that the new system may give rise to more interest in the electoral process. In addition, the major information and awareness campaign on electronic voting to be undertaken next year will also seek actively to encourage and increase voter participation.

I refer also to the replies to Question No. 202 of 9 October 2003 and Questions Nos. 176, 184, 185 and 186 of 16 October 2003 in relation to the integrity and security of the system.