Internet enrolments

Simon Power announced last week:

Voters will be able to re-enrol and update their details online in time for next year’s general election, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.

Cabinet has decided that legislation to be introduced to Parliament in November, is the first step in a process that will also eventually allow voters to use the Internet to enrol for the first time.

Currently, voters have to complete and sign a written form when enrolling and making changes to their details.

The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill No.2 allows voters to re-enrol and make changes to their details online using the ‘igovt’ government logon service, which is run by the Department of Internal Affairs. This will take effect from the middle of next year when the legislation is expected to be passed.

A good step forward. The igovt login service should be secure – more secure than our current system which allows anyone to enrol without showing proof of identity or residence.

And don’t get me started on how you can even vote without proof of identity.

Would be good to have trialled Internet voting for some local body elections this year. With a user name, password and token it can be as secure as Internet banking.