Electronic voting 'will give efficient results'

Electronic voting across Ireland will lead to a much more efficient delivery of poll results, a Government minister today said.

Environment and Local Government minister Martin Cullen said the public had responded positively to trial runs.

It was announced yesterday that the whole of the country will vote electronically in the 2004 local and European elections, following the success of trials in the Republic’s last general election and in the Nice Referendum.

Mr Cullen today said he was delighted the scheme would go countrywide.

“The results so far to date have been very good and we now want to roll it out across the entire country,” he said.

He said the system was very safe and secure, and would deliver results in a more fair and balanced way.

Results of each count would be displayed on a large screen, which Mr Cullen said would be much better and clearer than having results read out by a returning officer.

He dismissed concerns that it would take away the excitement associated with traditional elections, saying he was impressed by the atmosphere at the recent Nice referendum.

“The excitement and the atmosphere there was quite extraordinary, and I was quite taken aback by it,” he said.

“I’m delighted that the Government took the decision now to proceed fully for the entire country.”

He said about 7,000 machines would be required to enforce electronic voting across the Republic.