Vol. 540 No. 1
103 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to have electronic voting in operation for the forthcoming general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19790/01]
My Department is expecting delivery of six voting machines and associated software for election management and PR-STV count rules this month. Extensive testing will be required by my Department, returning officers and the local government computer services board. In addition the voting machines will be tested by two international testing institutes and the count software will be reviewed by software experts in Ireland. When testing is complete, I will receive a report on the testing after which the matter will be considered by Government.
I am not in a position to say at present when the testing report will be available or if the system might be used in one or two constituencies at the next general election.
