Assembly is a step closer to having e-voting thanks to Neeson

4.56.30pm GMT Tue 4th Sep 2007

Alliance MLA Séan Neeson

Alliance MLA Séan Neeson plans to bring the voting system within the Assembly into the 21st century have taken a leap forward with a feasibility study of e-voting in the chamber commencing tomorrow. At the end of May Mr Neeson tabled proposals to the Assembly Procedures Committee for electronic voting to be used instead of the current system of time-consuming division-style voting.

The East Antrim Assembly Member said: "I am very pleased that a feasibility study into e-voting in the Assembly is commencing tomorrow.

"People are always calling for local politicians to move with the times so hopefully this will help drag them into the 21st Century.

"The Assembly currently uses the ancient manual division voting. This method is very time consuming and we must do everything we can to make Assembly business more efficient.

"E-voting would enable the Assembly to get on with tackling more issues in the chamber and might speed up the legislation process. Any improvement which can help us get more work done for local people is one which must be examined thoroughly.

"My proposal, if implemented, will bring us in line with the voting system that is used in Scottish Parliament.

"The Assembly must be radical and look to new technology where useful to boost democracy in action."

ENDS