Angus Council’s second youngest elected member has warned Scottish Government proposals to introduce electronic voting machines at future elections are “a disaster waiting to happen”. Councillor Braden Davy, the Conservative member for Forfar and District, dismissed the suggestion of replacing the “tried and trusted” way of voting with an electronic ballot as “costly voting gimmicks” when he addressed members of the local authority’s policy and resource committee in Forfar. Councillors discussed the Scottish Government’s consultation on electoral reform which asked for feedback on plans for voting machines and internet voting alongside other reforms.
The consultation reply was completed by Margo Williamson, the Chief Executive of Angus Council, and presented for councillors’ reference.
It stated: “In order to move forward we need to acknowledge electronic voting is the future and welcome this. However, the reality is we are some way off from overcoming concerns both from voters and politicians around the integrity, secrecy and security of the ballot.
“There are also concerns around the possibility of fraud and confidence can ebb quickly when these cannot be overcome.
Full Article: Angus councillor warns voting machines a “disaster waiting to happen” – The Courier.