Electronic voting may be piloted here

An electronic voting system may be introduced in the forthcoming general election in areas where Sinn Fein support is at its strongest.

The system could be introduced in a bid to prevent ‘‘personisation’’, following reports of a ‘‘concerted’’ campaign of electoral fraud in the last elections for the Stormont Assembly in Northern Ireland.

The constituencies which will head up the pilot scheme at the election - likely to be held in late spring or early summer - are yet to be announced, according to reports.

It is understood the Department of the Environment would introduce the new system in three constituencies and rigorous testing of the software is already underway.

Reports claim that the constituencies involved would be heavily Sinn Fein inclined.

Sinn Fein looks set to increase the numbers of deputies it returns to the Dáil at the election.

During a recent meeting of the party’s national executive in Dublin, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: ‘‘We will have more than we have now.’’

Currently their only member is Cavan and Monaghan representative Caoimhghin O'Caolain.