25/02/2004

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Government confirms nationwide Electronic Voting in June

The Government has confirmed today (24th February) that the national roll out of electronic voting in the June European and Local elections would continue as planned.

Speaking after the Cabinet discussed the matter this morning, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Martin Cullen, TD, said: "The Government endorsed a number of proposals which I brought to Cabinet in relation to electronic voting. In particular the Government agreed to establish a high level Commission to verify the secrecy and accuracy of the Nedap/Powervote system

"The electronic voting and counting project has been advanced in a measured and thorough way, said Minister Cullen. "The system has undergone extensive independent testing. It has been piloted in 7 constituencies and has been favourably endorsed by the great majority of users surveyed. However, the Electronic Voting Commission now being established will provide an independent and authoritative view on this matter to ensure full public confidence in the electronic system."

Discussing the high level Commission, the Minister said: "This will be an independent Commission. It will be mandated to operate independently and to present its reports to the Ceann Comhairle, who will lay its reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas. I hope to announce the membership of the Commission within the next few days."

The Government also agreed to the terms of Reference of the Commission, as set out below:

·        The Commission will prepare a number of reports for presentation to the Chairman of the Dáil on the secrecy and accuracy of the Powervote/NEDAP system.

·        The Commission's first report, comprising relevant recommendations regarding the application countrywide of electronic voting and counting for the European and local elections on 11 June 2004, is to be presented not later than 1 May 2004.

·        The Commission's subsequent report or reports will take account of electronic voting and counting at the June 2004 elections and if necessary, will identify any desirable further developments of the electronic voting and counting system.

·        In carrying out its work, it will be open to the Commission to review the tests already undertaken to validate the electronic voting and counting system, and to have further tests undertaken.

·        The Commission will invite and consider submissions on such basis as it considers appropriate.

As stated by the Government in the Dáil last week, the Commission is to be appointed in advance of the new legislation and will subsequently be put on a statutory basis.

On legislation, the Minister said: "My Department is working on the drafting of a Bill for Government approval and publication as soon as possible. This will give statutory backing to the Commission, address the conditions under which tally data will be made available and ensure that there are no legal doubts regarding the introduction of electronic voting.

"The confidence of the public in our voting system is paramount. I am confident that the proposals agreed by Government today will ensure that the public's confidence in electronic voting in Ireland, as shown in the pilot constituencies, will be maintained - just as many millions of voters have had full confidence in this system throughout the Netherlands and in Germany", said Minister Cullen.

"It is important that the public can vote in confidence, just as the 400,000 Irish people who have already used electronic voting have. The establishment of an independent and respected Commission to verify the secrecy and accuracy of arrangements as proposed in Ireland will provide that reassurance."