But voters say they are worried about possible technological errors although the automated counting machine would simplify the current voting system.
Yoo explained that the touch-screen machine failed to read her identification card and her fingerprint.
"I am worried about whether it would perform perfectly when used at actual elections in the future," she added.
Machines were sent to 50 polling sites in three separate districts in the Seoul-Gyeonggi area randomly chosen before the election started yesterday.
The National Election Commission said it planned to test whether the use of the computerized system is more efficient compared to the current paper ballots.
Voters are required to insert an electronic card and are then shown a list of candidates. The voter, according to programmed procedures, is asked to touch the computer screen to make choices.
NEC said it expects to see an increase in the number of voters participating in elections by increasing voter convenience through the e-voting system.
But the automated voting system is not expected to be used in actual elections anytime soon as it still faces persistent complaints from politicians and the public, who claim the machines are unreliable and easily hacked.
The election watchdog says that the whole process is secure since data is encrypted as soon as voters cast ballots.
"The new voting system has been tested on a trial basis since last year and was used in internal competitions at political parties. We need to gain public trust by demonstrating its role well from now on," said Moon Byung-gil, public relations officer at the NEC.
The government plans to introduce the system in 2008, which it says will ensure more efficient vote management and allow immediate counts.
The plan is part of government efforts to put all state agencies online to create an "e-government," which would link people to government services, promoting political participation.
Autor/Author: Cho Chung-un
Quelle/Source: The Korea Herald, 01.06.2006
