§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what means, when voting electronically, a voter can ascertain whether his vote has been recorded and counted. [52928]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe arrangements being piloted for electronic voting provide for voters to receive electronic confirmatory messages when their votes have been successfully received.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when he will notify applicants for electronic votes in the May elections whether their proposals have been authorised: [52927]
(2) in which areas he is considering applications for electronic voting in May; [52925]
(3) what the latest date is by which he will consider applications for electronic voting in May. [52926]
§ Dr. WhiteheadIn October 2001, local authorities were invited to apply by 31 December to run electoral pilots in the May 2002 local elections. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced on 5 February 2002,Official Report, columns 829–31W, those authorities whose pilots had been approved. On 13 February 2002, Official Report, column 402W, he announced the approval of one further authority.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what arrangements will be in place to prevent personation of persons voting electronically. [52929]
§ Dr. WhiteheadWithin the electronic voting pilots there are a range of measures in place to guard against impersonation. This will include the use of voter specific PIN numbers and passwords and real time electronic registers to cast and record votes. The systems will also prevent an electronic vote being cast where the PIN number and password have been used previously.