NI must not repeat Scottish electoral shambles - Parsley

3.07.04pm GMT Fri 4th May 2007

Alliance Party Youth Affairs spokesperson Ian James Parsley

Alliance Party Youth Affairs spokesperson Ian James Parsley has cautioned that Northern Ireland must not go the same way as Scotland and prioritize technology ahead of accuracy when counting votes.

The North Down Councillor stated: "We had a lot of unfair criticism of election staff at our own vote counts the March Assembly elections because the count appeared so slow. This morning we must reflect that at least we know the results were accurate.

"The prime objective of a vote count is to determine accurately voters' intentions, and deliver a correct result. Ideally this should be done quickly, but the only truly important thing is that it be done accurately.

"It is disappointing that Great Britain has ignored Northern Ireland in this regard. We have run dual elections with different systems properly, we have counted single transferable vote counts accurately, and we have the best system of tackling voter impersonation anywhere in the UK.

"Those who argue for electronic counting must proceed cautiously in the light of what has happened across the North Channel. We must not only deliver accurate results, but also be seen to do so. Ours is not yet a perfect system, but we have run multi-system elections relatively successfully for some time and others should not be afraid to learn

from us.

"It is belated, but perhaps now we should be thanking the staff at our electoral offices here in Northern Ireland for the excellent job it is now clear they do."

ENDS