By Kable, 27 January 2005 09:25
NEWS
The government's proposed ID card database could serve as a nationwide electronic voter register, a committee of MPs was told on 25 January, 2005.
MPs on a parliamentary inquiry into electoral registration heard that, while using the ID database as the basis of a voter register could result in a "complicated enrolment process", it may be the preferred option to cut down on the duplication of systems.
Francis Aldhouse, deputy information commissioner, told the inquiry that some people might want to use a different name or address on separate government databases. But with voter enrolment it may make sense to use the ID database.
"Sometimes it's a good idea to collect similar information separately because individuals might want to use a different name or address on different databases," he told the committee. "In this case however, that probably might not arise and you might want to say that the list of people on the identity register is the same list entitled to vote in elections. I do see the strength in that argument."
In its submission to the inquiry the Electoral Commission said that, although it could have no official view on the ID programme, the identity database could help with a voter register.
The inquiry, held jointly by the Committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, focused on the government's plans to modernise voter registration. Ministers have so far said little about using an ID card for voter registration, but are planning a new national electoral system to replace local registers.
The government is soon to publish further details of its plans to set up the Coordinated Online Register of Electors (CORE), which is intended to standardise local registers allowing users to access data centrally.
The Electoral Commission told the inquiry that it supports the CORE proposals, but the government needs to be clear on the business processes that are critical for setting up a system. It said that the forthcoming plans need to be clear on how electronic registration fits in with other initiatives such as online voting.
"The Commission understands that the government intends to publish shortly a strategy paper outlining its vision for electoral modernisation," it said. "In the context of the significant number of individual projects likely to be contained within the overall strategy, it is important that the government makes clear its view of the relationship between the CORE project and other projects, including the possible introduction of individual registration."
Comments
There are 6 comments. Join the discussion
1. Richard
Sounds like "function creep!"
Wasn't the proposed ID database just "to protect us against terrorism and organized criminals?"
Exactly which problem is "modernisation" trying to solve?
2. Terry Carlin
So all the people who refuse to buy an ID card for whatever reason will not be able to vote.
Sounds like a sure fire success then.
3. Karen Challinor
The main problem is not enough people wrote to their MP's to say they didn't want this. The bill has yet to become an act but that is scheduled for later this year, if you want this nonsense stopped, then put pen to paper or even send an email to your constituency MP, if you aren't sure who that is check on http://www.whereonearth.com/commons/
give it your postcode and send an email, thats all it takes.
Bear in mind the government tells us this scheme will cost £3.1bn, which comes to less than 50p per head of population, you and I will pay £15 each which brings the amount up to more like £96bn in total, why has no one mentioned that ? and where will all this revenue go if not on the scheme.
Why does the database not conform to the Data Protection Act ?
Why will the government not tell us if the scheme conforms to the Human Rights act of 1988 ?
Not enough questions have been asked or answered to let this go through unchallenged.
4. Andy McKee
Must have missed the article about the massive problem of electoral fraud in the UK, I thought we had problems getting people to vote at all? Is this worth £xbn and ongoing costs?
5. Karen Challinor
You won't be allowed in the polling station without an ID card as it's a government office
6. David Sparkes
The fact that not enough people wrote is a symptom, not the problem. People aren't writing because a lot of them want them; they believe that the cards will save them from the tabloid created fears of immigration and terrorism.