Voter ID card key to electronic democracy

WE are soon to witness a massively expensive repeat referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and possibly an even more expensive general election.

There are many more issues that would warrant being referred to the people by referenda, but only an economic masochist would dare suggest this.

Meanwhile, rusting in peace, is a whole mess of unused evoting machines, unsaleable and costing more than thoroughbred racing horses to maintain.

I cannot remember (if I ever knew) why these were so unreliable that they could not be used – was it something about our PR system being too complex for computers, or was it the loss of perks among ballot-counters and returning officers, etc, all on leave from their secure public service jobs?

Surely those same computers could determine between a straightforward yes or no vote with accuracy and economy. Such “important” events as the Eurovision song contest are decided by less reliable methods.

Why not issue proper ID cards to the whole valid electorate and install these voting machines like ATMs in post offices. We could then press a button and vote as required, perhaps over two days or a weekend.

I doubt if the total cost of this exercise would equal the cost of one election and we could then express our opinions and wishes on every controversial matter that arises. It could also save a deal of money on the myriad of polls and surveys that routinely take place.

For those who see “invasion of privacy” and dire conspiracy in the introduction of ID cards, let me say that in my wallet are the following: – Laser card, Master card, free travel card, VHI membership card, golf club membership card, medical card, European health insurance card, AA membership card, B&Q over-60s’ discount card, blood group card, library card, lifeboats shoreline membership card, and driving licence – almost all very essential to have at hand. There is little room for anything else – which is just as well as there is little money there. Those cards probably tell all there is about me: my age, address, phone numbers, marital status, health, bank balances, hobbies, etc, and I have, more or less, willingly accepted it as so.

I cannot therefore see what else a national ID card could tell about me to which I could object, and, if one overall card could ease the bulk on my buttock I would gladly welcome it.

In any case, if I can believe your totally over-the-top report on the garda’s new automated number plate recognition technology (July 20) my whole fearsome “criminal” past will be revealed by one random swipe of their awesome camera.

Eamonn McCarthy

Tara Lawn

Glasheen

Cork