Funferal

Sinn Féin to raise concerns about electronic voting system at Dept ofEnvironment briefing – Daithí Doolan

Below is the text of a Press Release issued by Sinn Féin:
Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member Daithí Doolan and party General
Secretary Robbie Smyth are today attending an information session organised by the Department of Environment and Local Government on the electronic
voting system which will be introduced in all constituencies for the Local
and European elections on June 11th. Mr. Doolan said that he would be
using the opportunity to challenge the Department for failing to address the
many serious concerns which have been voiced about the system being
employed by the government.

Mr. Doolan said:
“On June 11th electronic voting will be introduced across all constituencies for the Local Government and European Union elections in the 26 Counties. This is happening without public consultation and despite serious reservations being raised by a number of organisations and parties and by consultants hired by the Department of Environment themselves. If this new system is to gain public confidence these serious concerns need to be addressed immediately.
“Among the concerns being raised are how the current system was produced, how the count is recorded and the ability to independently recheck. These are fundamental to the very electoral process.
“Furthermore there are deep concerns that with a little over four months to the elections, there has been no public education about this new system. Traditionally both Local and EU elections have low voter turn out and without any serious public education programme, the electorate could be further discouraged from voting.
” I am calling on the Minister to embark on a statewide community based education programme to ensure maximum democratic participation on June
11th.”