11/14/2007 9:43:00 AM You've got until 5pm today to register to vote Registrar’s last minute appeal as he outlines plan to use phone votes system in future
Parliamentary Registrar Randy Scott has revealed he is working towards introducing telephone voting to Bermuda and should have the system in place for the election after next.
The Registrar outlined his plans while making a last-minute appeal to the thousands of Bermudians who are still not registered to vote for this year's election. Registration closes at 5pm today, Wednesday, ahead of the election on December 18.
Mr. Scott said that a total of 41,606 people are now registered, which represents a very high percentage of those eligible, but still leaves several thousand not accounted for.
He added that he and his team are working around the clock to register any new voters and anyone whose details have changed since the last election.
The Registrar also said he is determined to maintain Bermuda's record of having one of the highest voter turnouts in the world.
In 2003, 75 per cent of Bermudians went to the polls, down on the 81 per cent of 1998. The Registrar is keen to prevent any further drop off.
Mr. Scott said: "Bermudians will always turn out in force to vote. They care about politics and they care who wins. We should be proud of our turnout.
"However, we can't afford to be complacent. I have been talking to several gurus about telephone voting. It has been shown to work very successfully in Hong Kong, Canada and parts of the U.S.
"If we can make it easier for people to vote then we should do that. As long as people feel secure voting by phone then there is no reason that shouldn't happen here. By the time of the election after next I should think that will be in place."
Mr. Scott said he had begun primary discussions about telephone voting and that after this election he will be looking to draw up a cabinet paper.
He added that Internet voting and voting by post have been shown to be less secure than telephone voting and so are unlikely to be approved for use in Bermuda.
Telephone voters are given a personalized number that they can enter into a touch-tone phone to identify themselves.
They are then asked to enter a number, or code, which corresponds to their choice of candidate. Tests in several countries have shown it to be as safe and reliable as voting at a booth.
Looking to December 18, Mr. Scott said: "I am confident voter numbers will be at 80 per cent or higher this time. But 100 per cent is the aim. But there's only so much we can do. Ultimately, the politicians have to make people want to get out and vote for something."
Anyone who has not yet registered, or who has changed their details, should register online at www.elections.gov.bm or pick up a registration form at the Parliamentary Registry Office in the Valerie T Scott Building, 60 Reid Street, Hamilton, or from any post office or police station.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Comment by:
Craig Burton
Please provide a link to peer reviewed research showing Internet and postal voting are less secure than phone voting. Phone voting enjoys no encryption and is easily tappable on party lines. Internet provides proof of delivery and can encrypt the vote all the way to the registrar.
