London reveals e-voting plans

London mayor Ken Livingstone is looking to introduce electronic voting across the capital in time for the next Greater London Authority (GLA) mayoral elections in 2008.

An information notice by the GLA reveals plans for e-voting using the internet, telephone, mobile phone, text messaging, e-voting booths and digital TV. The plans also include electronic counting systems for manual paper votes.

But plans are still at an early stage and the GLA note says the nature of any e-voting systems has yet to be decided.

"It is not possible to state exactly whether and what multi-channel electronic voting systems will be required at this point in time as these are the subject of policy decisions yet to be taken," the GLA notice said.

The e-voting systems could also be called into action for any bye elections or government referendums before the 2008 GLA London mayor and London Assembly elections.

No estimated cost of the e-voting systems is given but the notice says that, as an indication, the cost of the contract for just the electronic counting of votes at the combined GLA and European Parliament elections in 2004 was £5m.

The tendering competition and contract award procedures are expected to begin in January next year.