Estonia trials electronic voting: Estonians are this week voting online in local elections for the first time, reports AFP. Voters can choose to cast their ballot in the traditional manner at polling stations on 16 October, or, if they wish to vote before then, they can do so via a secure government website. Citizens voting online must use their electronic ID card in conjunction with a card reader attached to a PC; users must enter a PIN code from their ID card before submitting their vote. Over 60 percent of around 1.33 million Estonians have electronic ID cards, but few PC users have the necessary card reader. If the e-voting trial is a success, Estonia is likely to move towards allowing electronic voting in general elections from 2007.
US set to introduce digital driver's licences: The US federal government is gearing up to roll out a digital driver's licence system by May 2008, but some experts have expressed concern about the cost and feasibility of the undertaking, according to a Reuters report. The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in May this year, put forward minimum national standards for driver's licences, requiring them to include a digital photo of the holder, anti-counterfeiting features and machine-readable technology. It is not yet known how much it will cost states to implement the legislation; Washington State estimates that the cost for it alone will be USD97 million in the first two years. States are waiting for the Department of Homeland Security to issue regulations for the implementation, including such vital details as the type of biometric information required. The regulations will likely not be finalised until summer 2006 at the earliest; critics have noted that this will not give states much time to implement the new systems and processes before the 2008 deadline.
Welsh councils look to e-auctions for savings: Local authorities in Wales could save millions through the use of online auctions, it's been claimed, following the success of an e-auction pilot by two councils. Swansea Council, working with neighbouring Neath Port Talbot, says it could potentially save STG650,000 over the next five years on the back of a contract signed via the online auction process. The contract, worth around STG1.3 million a year, will see a Welsh company supply tinned and dried foods for the councils' school meals services, social services and council-owned leisure centres. Bidders for the contract had to meet a series of non-price criteria before they could take part in the auction. Three companies then participated in the auction, competing to see who could provide the best quality at the best price. "Councils have done a lot of ground work preparing for e-auctions," said Councillor Russell Roberts, Welsh Local Government Association spokesman on procurement. "Millions of pounds of savings could be made across the public sector in Wales through this approach."
European Commission sets up biometrics portal: The European Commission has launched a public information portal on the subject of biometrics, a technology that is becoming increasingly popular in the context of e-government services. Biometrics involves the use of technology to recognise unique biological traits, such as fingerprints; it can be used as a means of authentication with regard to e-services, passports and ID cards, as well as in efforts to fight terrorism and organised crime. The European Biometrics Portal's stated aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of biometrics activities in current and future EU Member States. The site provides news and event information, access to in-depth assessments of successes and failures of specific projects, and references and links to policy statements, along with an area for discussion forums. The portal is also open to scientific and policy contributions from governments, industry and civil society authors.
Dubai launches ePermit portal: The Dubai municipality in the United Arab Emirates has launched an online portal that aims to make the building permit process more efficient and easier to use for engineering consultants. The ePermit site, launched by Dubai's Civil Engineering Department (CED), allows engineers who register their details to submit online applications for building permits for projects that fall under the auspices of the CED. Engineers can track the progress of their applications via the portal, and applicants will receive feedback on their submissions following assessment by the CED and the Environment, Health and Safety and Fire Protection departments. "The basic objective of automating the entire building permit-related process is to avoid delays due to lack of information regarding procedures, mislaid documents and communication errors," said Nazek Al Sabbagh, head of the CED. "Moreover, it will enable consultants to monitor the status of their applications from the comfort of their office, thereby reducing the number of trips they need to make to the CED."
Autor: Sylvia Leatham
Quelle: ElectricNews, 12.10.2005
