Madam, - Your report of December 9th on electronic voting in the next election points indirectly to a threat which is apparently being overlooked.A computer security company has examined the voting machines and found weaknesses. The Department of Environment does not accept that these are significant. But perhaps there is another message in the security company's warning.
Much more serious than possible sabotage on election day is the threat of interference with the voting system before an election takes place. Any software writer can tell you that manipulating a computer code or programme is not just simple but can be almost untraceable.
It is possible at any stage before an election, and would need no interference with the machines on voting day. There are several opportunities for this kind of manipulation , and sooner or later someone is at least liable to dally with the temptation to try it. We would be stupid to believe otherwise.
There is no reliable, independent way to show that the electronic voting system planned for future elections is trustworthy, because nobody can produce the necessary proof. If someone says it is trustworthy, watch how they react when you ask them to publish all the codes and programmes and all the details of the hardware involved, and to explain what they mean and how they work. After all, what's wrong in letting voters see for themselves how the system works?
Electronic voting can all too easily be perverted, and it masks a weakness that is a threat to every voter and every political party. Your report has rung the alarm, and we can ignore it if we choose, but if so we must be prepared to accept the consequences. - Yours, etc.,
JAMES BEATTY,
Knockroe,
Ashford,
Co Wicklow.