While the company responsible for the delay in releasing results from the Oct. 27 municipal elections has apologized and offered compensation, 20 municipalities in Ontario are saying it isn’t enough. Scytl Canada Inc. was awarded the contract in January 2104 to provide election services for the internet and telephone ballots. However, on election night, municipalities using the service were waiting until after 11 p.m. for results that should have been made available by 8:30 p.m. due to human error. The delay, according to Scytl, was due to an anomaly found during routine processing causing tabulation to be rerun and a thorough manual audit to be done. Five election files had been mislabeled due to human error and rather than just rename the files, Scytl reran the entire process. Scytl stands by the fact the election results are 100% accurate. Municipalities affected received a letter of apology and an offer of a 25% discount on the final payment for their services in addition to a 10% discount on a future online voting project.
On Nov. 6, approximately 20 municipalities got together through a conference call to discuss the election issues.
Brian Sweet, director of corporate services for the Municipality of Leamington, drafted a letter on behalf of the municipalities outlining concerns and asking for additional compensation.
The additional compensation is specific to municipalities who experienced additional frustration. Municipalities concurred any agreement of compensation will be specific to each situation.
Scytl has yet to reply.
Full Article: Scytle offers 25% discount over election problems | Cornwall Standard Freeholder.