Confidence rises in NI election process
Public confidence in Northern Ireland’s electoral process improved after tough new anti-fraud laws were introduced, a report claimed today.
The study also rejected claims that 120,000 eligible voters were wiped off the register by schemes to halt ballot box deception.
With impersonation and abuse heavily suspected at Northern Ireland’s polling stations, the British government brought in the Electoral Fraud Act in May 2002.
But in its assessment of the legislation’s first year, the Electoral Commission found little evidence of wrong-doing.
Even though actual fraud levels were impossible to establish, measures introduced in the Act have increased confidence levels in the integrity of the voting process, the report found.
Electoral Commission chief Seamus Magee said: “Public opinion research conducted on behalf of the Commission shows that 72% of a representative sample of the Northern Ireland population either strongly agreed or tended to agree that the new system should reduce electoral fraud.”
The Act brought about the most significant change to electoral law in Northern Ireland for years and came ahead of last month’s Assembly polls.
Household registration was replaced by individual registration and made photographic identification compulsory at polling stations.
When the new register emerged it contained around 120,000 fewer names than lists based on the previous system.
Yet examinations by the authority found no real proof that huge swathes of the population had been denied the right to vote.
Karamjit Singh, electoral commissioner with specific interest in Northern Ireland affairs insisted: “Although there is some evidence that eligible persons previously registered have not enrolled under the new system, we do not agree with the assertion that so many people were disenfranchised.
“We have analysed the new register against census data and have concluded that it contains about 86% of the eligible population.
“The challenge for the future is to increase the registration rate further.”
Research also found that disadvantaged groups were less likely to have eligible identification.
The Commission pledged to continue providing in depth and independent analysis of electoral issues.
As part of the ongoing programme a report on the Stormont Assembly elections will be published early next year.
