A UK Government minister has said the recent e-voting pilots have boosted the prospects of the public making more use of e-government initiatives. Christopher Leslie, minister for local e-government in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), was speaking on 10 June 2003 at the GC2003 conference and exhibition organised by Government Computing. Leslie said that, while the Government has been concerned about the level of take-up of electronic services, the UK public has shown great enthusiasm for buying and banking online. "One of the main challenges is converting this enthusiasm to the take-up of government services," he said. "People are not doing as much online with government as they are buying and banking, but I believe this will change."
He cited the experience of the pilots that offered alternative voting methods – including the internet, touch tone telephones, mobile phones, digital interactive TV and kiosks – in the local elections of 1 May 2003. He said that overall 21% of the voters in the relevant areas used the new channels for voting, and that in some areas the figure was even higher. In Sheffield it came to 37%, in Chester 30% and in Swindon 25%.
"I don't think we should read too much into it at this stage, we have to complete the follow-up research, but in my view it confirms that people will use online public services when the conditions are right," said Leslie. "We have to invest in systems and deliver the right information to encourage customer contact. We have to encourage self-service by the customer or citizen.
"In designing internet services we have to research and draw people into their design to ensure they use them. Finding out what people want can make a difference."
The ODPM plans to publish its findings on the e-voting pilots in July. Leslie said it is considering funding for further trials, but that this has to be assessed against other issues in the next round of local elections, that will be combined with elections to the European Parliament.
He suggested the possibility of e-voting being tested again in referendums and regional elections.
Quelle: Kablenet
