Electronic voting the only way for IWV

Increasing the number of voting days and the number of polling stations will not guarantee an increased number of voters. Voting the traditional way will prove to be a time consuming expedition, with doubtful results. It will involve driving through congested traffic, looking for a parking space, walking to the polling station, standing in a long queue, perhaps in the rain, while carrying a file of possibly 100 sheets of manifestos, before entering the polling station, followed by another queue at the polling booth – unavoidable when having to decide where to put up to 38 crosses, maybe after consulting for the last time a few (wet?) manifestos. Imagine then the frustration if after all this cumbersome and antiquated procedure our voting slip is subsequently declared void for reason(s) not evident in the polling booth (which is quite likely, as this will be a completely new voting system). This obstacle course is only suitable for the dedicated and experienced elector, with no time constraint – and there are not many of these electors.

Whilst the above summary only concerns the voter, human errors will also be unavoidable on the administrative side, with sorting out the spoilt papers, counting the votes, then recounting, before declaring the results.

Opinion (Guernsey Press, 15 March 2019) states that SACC’s job number one is to make voting more attractive, yet Opinion makes no reference to e-voting being the only sensible solution.

Importantly, e-voting will ensure that every vote counts, as errors will be flagged up before pressing ‘send’ on one’s electronic device. The simplicity of e-voting will definitely encourage more registered voters as well as new and young (but presently unregistered) voters who will be able and keen to use their PC or mobile device wherever they are: at home, in the office, at school, in the park, etc. Really cool and easy.

The technology behind e-voting is not new and it is reliable. For example, the Co-op successfully used their first online voting for their 2017 director elections and will use it again in the next two months. The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has 125,000 registered online members/voters. The Co-op has appointed UK Engage to administer the online voting process, which is an ‘extremely robust system’, according to the independent election services provider.

Guernsey can do likewise for its 42,000 registered voters, if the political will is there.

PHIL DUPRE

Address withheld.