Northgate calls for voting system revamp

Public sector VAR feels the time is right to rethink the management behind local and national elections

Public sector and utilities VAR Northgate has called for an overhaul of the UK electoral management system to help manage local and national elections more effectively.

The call follows a recent Electoral Commission discussion on improving the performance of indicators to increase voter participation.

Northgate has claimed that performance partnerships would help drive improvement as well as discover new ways that technology could serve the issue of managing elections, more efficiently.

Russell Osborne, managing director of Land & Property for Northgate Public Services, said: “The democratic system is in desperate need of repair. We need a system that places the citizen at its hearts and addresses the needs of those most disadvantaged in our communities who may often not participate in the electoral process.

"Many authorities that Northgate works with simply do not have the resources within their authorities to drive forward modernisation and continuous improvement without more support. Some may see the introduction of a performance measurement framework as a burden rather than a necessary change,” he added.

Northgate has warned that a new approach cannot be rushed and should be implemented at least six months before the European Parliamentary elections in June 2009.

Osborne continued: “We need to face up to the problem and take action now. If performance standards are to be raised, there is a need for high level strategic commitment to electoral management.

This involves developing innovative new practices and changing the way that local authorities work with the private sector in order that they may take advantage of additional skills and resources to re-energise our electoral management systems and renew democracy,” added Osborne.