Parsley welcomes Electoral Commission findings

4.59.52pm GMT Thu 15th Dec 2005

Young Alliance Chairman Ian James Parsley has welcomed an Electoral Commission report stating that ballot papers should be clearer and that counting of votes should happen overnight. He called on political parties to play their role countering voter apathy.

Speaking after a community meeting in Holywood, the North Down Councillor stated: "I have represented the Alliance Party at Electoral Commission meetings and made the point that having elections under different systems on the same day is a significant problem. It was noticeable that the number of spoiled ballots varied largely from area to area, and this

depended on the diligence of election officials in pointing out the voting system. Election outcomes should not depend on which areas have more diligent election officials! I strongly welcome any re-design of ballot papers to make life easier for the voter.

"Additionally, it is a complete nonsense that Northern Ireland does not count votes overnight. While I understand we have different people doing the counting, if it is good enough for Great Britain, it is good enough for Northern Ireland. Local election candidates were left waiting the best part of a week to find out their results - clearly a complete nonsense.

"The Electoral Commission has already noted the problem of declining voter turnout and done its best to counteract that. I believe the parties have to play their role too. Endless games of whataboutery and endless blethering about the past are the main reasons for declining voter turnout. What is more, we need to be realistic that it is in the most deprived areas that

voter turnout is lowest, particularly in areas like North Down - the myth of the 'Garden Centre Prod' is precisely that, a myth. It is on the estates, where people see little real reaction among politicians to what they really want and need, that people are turning away from the

democratic process.

"I commend this report and urge fast action on its recommendations."

ENDS