E-voting U-turn - No concession on audit trail regrettable

THE Government’s partial U-turn on the issue of electronic voting is in stark contrast with the blatant arrogance of Environment Minister Martin Cullen when he was challenged on this vexed question.

Typifying the Coalition’s disregard for public opinion, Mr Cullen was entirely dismissive of voter concerns.

Following a new-found sympathy with opposition concerns, as expressed by Tánaiste Mary Harney, there will be an independent panel to verify the system’s secrecy and accuracy, an independent group to oversee it, primary legislation e-voting in non-Dáil elections and explicit arrangements for voters who want to abstain. Regrettably, no concessions have been made on the issue of a verifiable audit trail, the opposition’s key demand. According to many computer experts, a paper trail is essential to allay security concerns.