The Government has approved St Albans' bid for a second trial of e-voting in the May district and parish elections.

St Albans District Council cabinet will meet next week to decide whether to proceed with the scheme after the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister approved the council's proposal.

If the cabinet agrees, voters will be asked to cast their ballot by one of a choice of methods. These include phone, computer, post, or at a polling station using a touch screen kiosk.

The Government will pay for the new technology but the cabinet must also decide whether or not to free up around £25,000 to cover the cost of allowing voters not comfortable with new technology to vote using the traditional ballot paper.

Councillor Julian Daly, district council portfolio holder for information and communication, said: "The success of our bid keeps St Albans at the forefront of e-voting development in this country."

Apart from voting at polling stations on May 1 and by post, the pilot bid proposes an extended period from 9am on April 27 to 9pm on May 1 for phone, computer and kiosk voting.

A district council spokesman said: "Although it will be possible to cast an electronic vote in any polling station, the council will be aiming to keep the maximum number of voting locations open on May 1 for public convenience and choice."

The spokesman said security was a priority and a programme to educate the public on how to use the new voting methods will run before the polling period.

January 30, 2003 17:00