London Web site aims to educate voters: A Web site has been launched that aims to educate voters in London ahead of next year's combined elections for the Mayor of London, the London Assembly and the European Parliament. The site, www.londonelects.org.uk, styles itself as a "one-stop resource for everything voters, journalists and electoral practitioners need to know about casting their votes in next year's election." Information currently available on the site includes descriptions of the London Assembly, the European Parliament and the mayoral office and the functions they perform; how each institution is elected; and how to stand as a candidate. When nominations close next May, the site will provide contact details and biographical information on mayoral candidates, along with a listing of candidates standing in the European and London Assembly elections. The site's developers are also working on animated graphics that will be used to explain the different voting systems and the processing of a ballot paper. The site also provides information in 18 languages apart from English, including Cantonese, Vietnamese, Turkish and Hindi.
Energis wins UK broadband contract: The UK government has awarded a contract to telecoms firm Energis for the provision of a secure broadband network to link up government departments, agencies and local authorities. The STG40 million contract, which saw Energis beat off competition from companies including BT and Cable & Wireless, involves the installation of a next-generation Government Secure Intranet, based on IP virtual private network technology. The new high-speed network will support voice, video and data transmissions and will provide better support for real-time applications, and it is envisioned that 300,000 people will eventually use the network. Trials of the network are expected to begin in early 2004, with full migration from the existing C&W network scheduled for the end of next year.
Malta to have 95 percent of services on-line next year: The government of Malta has forecast that about 95 percent of its services will be available on-line in the next six to nine months. IT and Investment Minister Austin Gatt said that the government was planning to implement an electronic identification system, which he described as "the last pillar in the building of e-government," to facilitate access for citizens to its e-services. The system involves the issuing of electronic ID cards developed by Microsoft in collaboration with Malta Information Technology and Training Services (MITTS). Using just one ID code, citizens will be able to access services dealing with taxation, social services and health issues which are due to be rolled out in the near future. Minister Gatt said the ID system was intended to be reproduced and sold to governments, as well as private sector companies, around the world. Looking further ahead, Gatt said the next step for e-government was the education of the public in the use of the services, as well as bridging the digital divide in the country.
Thailand stalls national ID card plan: Thailand has put its THB1.6 billion (EUR34 million) plan to launch national smart ID cards on hold. According to a report in The Bangkok Post, the Cabinet has asked the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry to take over the project, which was being handled by the Interior Ministry's Bureau of Registration Administration (BORA). BORA had awarded a contract for the supply of 20 million magnetic stripe cards when the Cabinet intervened, saying that it wanted the ID cards to be high-tech smart cards. The ICT Ministry plans to review card specifications for the project, along with materials and the system for the issuing of cards. Earlier this month, the ID card plan was criticised by research firm Gartner, which said that the project was poorly planned and that the project's leaders had not consulted adequately with the government, private sector, public or industry experts. Gartner analyst Dion Wiggins said that planning and launching the ID card system could take one to two years; the government had originally planned to launch the system early next year.
US rolls out electronic food safety system: The US government is rolling out a system that will require all importers of food to electronically notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in advance. The new regulations, which require food manufacturers and distributors to register with the FDA, involve the implementation of key elements of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. From 12 December, food importers will have to use the Bureau of Customs' Automated Commercial System to notify the FDA of all incoming shipments. The FDA said it is expecting around 420,000 entities to register under the new system, and it expects to receive about 25,000 electronic notifications of incoming shipments per day. Registration may be done over the Internet, by mail or by fax. Officials said the new regulations should make it easier to ensure food safety in the US.
Quelle: Electric News, 22.10.2003
