Government to test e-voting system

The Government has initiated a new round of assessment and testing of the controversial €60 million electronic voting system currently in storage.

An advertisement for consultants to carry out an "additional security and risk assessment of all aspects of the electronic voting and counting system" was placed on the Government's e-tendering website yesterday.

After use on a trial basis in the last general election, the electronic voting system was put on hold when questions arose over the ownership of the electronic code underpinning the system.

There was further controversy when it emerged that storage of the machines, which had been purchased by former minister for the environment Martin Cullen, would cost millions every year in charges.

A spokesman for the current Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, said the advertisement for consultants to carry out further tests on the equipment was placed "after consideration by the Government. It is full steam ahead".

The new tests, which will be carried out in association with the Commission on Electronic Voting, will include counting and validation of votes as well as testing the general security of the system. The tests will particularly address "key issues raised in relation to the secrecy and accuracy of the electronic system.

"This will build on the extensive range of tests and certifications which has been carried out to date by independent testing agencies," according to the advertisement.

Responding to questions from The Irish Times yesterday, a statement released on behalf of Mr Roche said security and risk-assessment would take about three months. The security and risk-assessment will encompass the following areas:

security measures and protections built into the voting machine and ancillary equipment;

security hardened stand-alone election PCs;

software encryption and safeguards;

installation and access controls;

risk analysis of potential for insider/outsider attacks, and

the adequacy of existing internal/external audit procedures.

"The objectives of the security and risk assessment are to assess the security aspects of the Nedap-Powervote system, identify possible risks and threats within the system application or environment and provide recommendations on appropriate measures to be taken to enhance system security and minimise risks."

The statement added that the consultancy contract was "to ensure that the system as a whole performs reliably, securely and accurately".

The deadline for tenders is Tuesday, June 21st. The statement said "the successful tenderer will be appointed in July, with the objective to complete the security and risk assessment by the end of the summer".

All going well, electronic voting may be in place by the next election.