TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Real Election Reform

Re: Real Election Reform

rob51166@yahoo.com
9 Jan 2005 08:08:01 -0800

We still use the old 'X in a box' method here in the UK on our ballot
papers and, depending on which election/referendum we're having
(local, national or European) and the amount of candidates taking
part, the ballot paper can be up to 18" (that's right, 1' 6") long.

We also still use the 'First Past The Post' method instead of
Proportional Representation, which I believe you use in the US, and
neither is far from perfect in my view.

Postal voting was recently tried out in a regional referendum and the
fraud and corruption which occurred was incredible. In some
instances, mainly in Muslim or Asian/Indian families, the senior
member of the family would insist on filling in the papers on behalf
of the younger and female members of his family, or telling them that
he'd help them in filling the form out -- i.e. where to put the 'X'.

I think that sooner or later, a computerised voting system will have
to be introduced here in the UK as it'll have to be in the US, but at
the moment there appear to be so many creases to iron out to get a
decent and fair system, as well as getting all of our political
parties to agree to it that it's not going to happen for quite a
while.

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