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Historic vote by remote
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 18, October 04, 2007 |
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NO BOUNDARIES: ADF personnel deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands will be able to cast a live, remote electonic vote in the Federal election as part of a remote voting trial. Pictured is CPL Mark Brereton on duty in the MEAO.
Photo by CAPT Cameron Jamieson |
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Many ADF personnel on overseas deployments will create electoral history when they electronically vote at the looming Federal poll.
ADF uniformed and civilian personnel deployed on the ground in Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands – possibly up to 2500 of them – will be the first group to cast a live, remote electronic overseas vote in an Australian Federal election.
They will be given this opportunity to take part in a secure electronic voting trial undertaken by the ADF and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
The trial will provide Defence personnel in those areas the capability to vote if they have access to secure Defence computing and communication facilities on the Defence Restricted Network.
Remote electronic voting has the potential to provide a more effective voting service than traditional means by reducing the logistical overhead of managing paper-based ballots in remote overseas operational locations.
“Defence’s secure satellite and ground-based communication and information technology infrastructure will be used to transmit encrypted electronic voting data directly to the AEC,” Assistant Director Personnel Systems Bill Meldrum said.
“The secure Defence systems meet the highest national security and privacy standards, and Defence personnel casting their votes can be confident that no person can view or manipulate their electronic votes.
“Defence personnel can still cast their votes should there be any technical difficulties with the electronic voting trial, as paper-based postal votes will also be sent to registered electronic voting trial participants.
“Other Defence personnel who cannot access a secure computer terminal or are not in the trial locations should register as a general postal voter with the AEC as soon as possible, and cast a postal vote. The current Defence trial follows a recommendation on electronic voting by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters,” Mr Meldrum said.
More information on voting for deployed ADF personnel overseas is available at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dpe/voting or for general voting information, contact the AEC on 132 326.
| Register now |
- Eligible Defence personnel are encouraged to register as soon as possible if they wish to participate in the trial. To participate, members must complete an ‘Application to register for remote electronic voting for the 2007 Federal Election’, which is available from the Defence Intranet at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dpe/evote Additional information on the trial is also available from the website.
- Any queries regarding registration should be directed to the Australian Electoral Commission on 132 326 or via email to evoting@aec.gov.au |
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