Every vote is precious

As I write, Great Britain has a hung parliament. Deals are being struck; we await the outcome with some trepidation.

One of the greatest tragedies in this election was the number of people prevented from voting through no fault of their own. To stand in a queue for over two hours and then to be turned away without having voted is frustrating in the extreme. By all accounts, such a large turnout was obviously unexpected.

If we are a democracy, and a fair society, then every vote is of value and every vote must count. That is why the voting arrangements must be made on the expectation that every voter will turn out, rather than a guess at how many might come and vote.

COUNTING WITH BEADS
I am surprised that in this age of IT that we are still required to scratch a cross with a 2b pencil on to our ballot sheets. I don’t doubt a move to electronic registration of votes would be expensive, and of course, there would be security issues to overcome, but the benefits would be enormous. Picture the scene…Fred Bloggs walks to his nearest polling station (could be around the corner from home, or close to work). He puts his polling card through a card reader, which verifies his identity, ward, and right to vote. Then he makes simple selections on a touch screen in his booth, removes his card and hands it to an official to ensure it isn’t used more than once. Hey presto, vote cast! At the end of polling the results are uploaded to a central office where the votes are counted electronically and results collated. The reduced number of people needed to run the operation, at least in part, would mitigate the cost. Ah well, next time maybe.

HOW TO VOTE
I am fascinated by how people arrive at their decision as to who to vote for.

• Self-interest. Voting this way will provide the best material future for me and my family.

• Heritage. My dad voted thus, my granddad did and now so am I

• Identity. People like me vote this way, to do anything else would be a betrayal of my class or roots.

• Prejudice. I don’t like the other lot, I’ll vote this way just to prevent them getting in.

• Ideology. This party stands for the things I hold dear

• Policy. This party will carry out policies that are in the interest of the nation as a whole.

• Integrity. I trust this party to act honourably. Not to say one thing and do another.

My suspicion is that many, if not most, will find their reasons nearer the top of the list than the bottom.