[Gayle]

Anyway, back to the subject in hand!

When I stood for council a couple of years ago, I identified at least three ways in which someone could cheat if they wanted too, I'm sure there are others. I'm not suggesting for a second that i did that or that any of my opponents did it either but I'm quite sure that if there was someone unscrupulous with half a brain who identified the ways as I did they probably wouldn't hesitate to use them.

1. - postal/proxy votes - people can be assisted with their vote. Let's just say for example that the person is vulnerable, blind or illiterate, their vote could easily be mis-used.

2. - at the polling booth - some parties sit outside the polling booth and mark down on the electoral register who has been to vote. They also know from previous electoral registers who has never voted before. Let's just say for example that I know for certain that a person who lives in one ward never votes and the chances of them turning up with their card to vote are 1 in a million - someone whose face is unknown could simply turn up at the polling station without a polling card and claim to be someone else.

3. at the count - votes for each person are counted into 50's and bundled. Let's just say I was one of the counters and I had a particular leaning, it wouldn't be too hard to hide some votes within bundles for the opposing candidate.

Now, I'm not saying that anyone that I know has ever used those methods but if I've worked it out then I'm pretty sure that other, less honest people, could work out the same.

The whole voting system needs to be completely overhauled if trust in it is to be restored.