Hazards of electronic voting

Madam, - Your Editorial of February 13th, referring to the lack of a "paper trail" in the proposed electronic voting system, …

Madam, - Your Editorial of February 13th, referring to the lack of a "paper trail" in the proposed electronic voting system, proclaims that no hint of impropriety can be allowed to undermine public confidence in the voting system.

In the "Technology" section of the same edition, Karlin Lillington observes that with the old-fashioned system the voting process can be observed, but "with e-voting machines, as they currently exist, none of this is available". She expresses shock that there is no paper trail in the proposed system and that the programme running the machine is not independently available for examination. She also points out that the system can be hacked into. She concludes that these problems need to be solved before we have "a full-blown scandal" on our hands.

I take it Ms Lillington knows what she is talking about. Why, then, are people of intelligence and integrity implementing something with the potential to have such disastrous consequences? - Yours, etc.,

A. LEAVY,

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Shielmartin Drive,

Sutton,

Dublin 13.

Madam, - The current debate on computer voting is clearly showing us to be a nation of Luddites. It's not the computers, it's the voters, stupid! Faulty computers did not elect corrupt politicians who tolerated officials on the take and befriended businessmen on the make. Living, breathing, thinking people elected and re-elected them in constituencies all around the country.

I would suggest that if in future a constituency returns a corrupt politician, the voters, not the computers, be individually scrutinised, analysed and reprogrammed before being allowed to vote again. - Yours, etc.,

DENIS O'DONOGHUE,

Countess Grove,

Killarney,

Co Kerry.

Madam, - When paying for my newspaper this morning, I asked the newsagent two questions.

"Can your cash register issue receipts?"

Answer: "Certainly, if you'd like one."

"Can your cash register keep a paper copy of each transaction?"

Answer: "Yes. It has to."

If Minister Cullen so wishes, I am sure this level of technology could be incorporated into the computers used for electronic voting.

However, I am much more concerned at the risks being taken by using national schools as polling stations. Many national schools are in a notoriously dilapidated condition, structurally unsound with leaking roofs, draughty windows and doors, tired plumbing, dodgy sewerage. Does he think the electrical systems are the exception?

Mr Cullen has to assure us that his voting computers will be plugged into reliable electrical systems. - Yours, etc.,

SEAN ROCHE, Corish Park, Wexford.

Madam, - What happens if there's a power cut on polling day? - Yours, etc.,

ARTHUR BOLAND, Cecilia Street, Dublin 2.