28 June 2001 Edition
ELECTORAL REFORM REQUIRED
Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin has called for a complete overhaul of voting procedures in the Six Counties.
McLaughlin said: ``Voting procedures have always been unsatisfactory but the flaws in present procedures were magnified recently when both Westminster and Local Government elections were held on the same day.
``Inconvenience and voter confusion was rampant, resulting in perhaps thousands of eligible voters being disenfranchised. Long queues resulted in irritation for voters and frustration for electoral office staff.
``A number of areas need reassessing. I believe that an electronic voting system would eliminate many problems, including the incessant unsubstantiated claims by certain parties that other parties are involved in vote fraud. The format of the ballot paper should also be revised to include not only the name of the candidate and party designation or logo but also a photograph of the candidate. This would not only avoid voter confusion but would greatly assist those with literacy difficulties.
``The role and powers of the electoral staff, particularly the excessive power that Polling Officers have to refuse an individual the right to vote on the grounds that the Polling Officer is unsure of whether the identification produced is valid needs to be addressed. A number of cases arose at the recent elections when electoral office staff refused to accept particular identification from numerous voters only to have the decision overturned when challenged by an insistent voter who demanded that the Electoral Office be contacted. The individual was then allowed to vote but many others who did not challenge the decision were disenfranchised by the overenthusiasm of some electoral office staff.
Electoral procedures need to be overhauled with the intention of making it easier for people to exercise their franchise rather than have it bogged down in bureaucratic rules aimed at making it as difficult as possible for the most marginalised in society to vote. These make up the majority of those who do not possess driving licenses, passports or other forms of acceptable photographic ID. Whatever arrangements are necessary should also be made to ensure easy uninhibited access is available for elderly and disabled voters at every polling station.
McLaughlin said: ``Voting procedures have always been unsatisfactory but the flaws in present procedures were magnified recently when both Westminster and Local Government elections were held on the same day.
``Inconvenience and voter confusion was rampant, resulting in perhaps thousands of eligible voters being disenfranchised. Long queues resulted in irritation for voters and frustration for electoral office staff.
``A number of areas need reassessing. I believe that an electronic voting system would eliminate many problems, including the incessant unsubstantiated claims by certain parties that other parties are involved in vote fraud. The format of the ballot paper should also be revised to include not only the name of the candidate and party designation or logo but also a photograph of the candidate. This would not only avoid voter confusion but would greatly assist those with literacy difficulties.
``The role and powers of the electoral staff, particularly the excessive power that Polling Officers have to refuse an individual the right to vote on the grounds that the Polling Officer is unsure of whether the identification produced is valid needs to be addressed. A number of cases arose at the recent elections when electoral office staff refused to accept particular identification from numerous voters only to have the decision overturned when challenged by an insistent voter who demanded that the Electoral Office be contacted. The individual was then allowed to vote but many others who did not challenge the decision were disenfranchised by the overenthusiasm of some electoral office staff.
Electoral procedures need to be overhauled with the intention of making it easier for people to exercise their franchise rather than have it bogged down in bureaucratic rules aimed at making it as difficult as possible for the most marginalised in society to vote. These make up the majority of those who do not possess driving licenses, passports or other forms of acceptable photographic ID. Whatever arrangements are necessary should also be made to ensure easy uninhibited access is available for elderly and disabled voters at every polling station.