Liverpool voters get text voting

Local councils in Liverpool hope to combat the apathy of many potential voters by giving them the option to vote from wherever they want via text message.

Local elections are due to take place on 2 May. It is additionally hoped turnout in the Everton and Church wards will increase eight per cent on 2000 with the introduction of internet and digital telephone voting, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The new methods aimed at encouraging voters to have their say in local government are part of a trial being run by BT. The company claims e-voting is more secure than the traditional pencil and paper method.

BT says it has taken the security issue very seriously and will be sending voters special passwords to their home addresses.