Super Thursday Election 2007 and Fraud

The polling stations have just closed and the final checks will be taking place before moving the votes to the counting stations. Remember that the postal votes have pretty much already been counted, although can't guarantee properly since election agents have been having some difficulty getting in.

Last week Harriet Harman was taken to task on electoral fraud in a Q & A at Southampton University. Whilst she stated that we could have 100% genuine votes if we "locked down" the process but that "would crush turn out." This indicates a certain apathy towards the problem of electoral fraud.

I had a postal ballot for my local council elections. The way a postal ballot works is that you apply for it without needing a reason. You then some days before official polling day receive your ballot paper, listing the candidates from which you must select. Along with two envelopes.


You are to mark next to your candidate with a cross as per normal. You then place the ballot paper in one envelope along with a signature statement, all of which you place in a second envelope seal up and send back to the registrar person.

Herewith I have my concern. Here is my signature slip.


This goes in a big envelope with my vote. I tried a little experiment, I placed a cross in an arbitrary box and placed the "ballot" in its envelope then held it up to the light.



You can plainly see, if that was a real vote, who the cross was by. Remember that goes in an envelope with my signature and my date of birth. Now I wouldn't dream of casting aspersions on the officers of my local council BUT it takes not a lot to see who the person signing my statement (me) has voted for.

Now we don't live in a time of political discrimination (much), however I still highly value the confidentiality of my vote. Further more whilst again not dreaming of smiting professionalism of the election officials, one of the problems had in 2005 was the theft / binning of votes (by one side of the others). Hence I'd have thought it paramount to keep the contents of the ballots secret.

Given all it would take is thicker envelopes... with that funky black pattern that obfuscates the the contents like the banks use when posting out your PIN., it doesn't seem like much to protect us from turning well and truly into a banana republic.

I hope that online voting is safe and secure.

Fine rant over. Good luck to all candidates I know standing. I'm in for a thrilling night of election commentary.