The number of people in favour of the introduction of electronic voting in all future elections is slipping, according to an opinion poll carried out by Amarach Consulting.
A small majority, 52 per cent, of the 1,067 surveyed, who were questioned between January 23rd and February 9th, believe that electronic is "a change for the better".
The opinion poll, which follows up on one carried out in early 2003, asked the following question: "The Government plans to introduce electronic voting terminals for use in all elections in the future. Do you believe that this change is a change for the better?"
They were offered the choice of four alternative answers: Yes; No; Don't Know and Don't Vote/ Don't Care, the same question that was asked in the first opinion poll.
"The findings from this year's research show some slippage in support for the introduction of electronic voting when compared to the findings for 2003," Amarach said.
The number opposed to its introduction has increased substantially, from 8 per cent to 20 per cent, though the Don't Know category has remained "relatively stable" at 22 per cent, the pollsters declare.
Support for the change is linked to age vote: 59 per cent of those aged between 25 and 34 believe it to be for the better, while only 15 per cent oppose it. In contrast, older voters are much more opposed.
In the 65-to-74 age group, who traditionally vote in high numbers, the number of opponents stands at 36 per cent, while just 31 per cent of the same age group actively favour the Government's plans.
"Clearly the change has generated much controversy and political debate. In overall terms, however, the fact is that only a slight majority are convinced that the change to electronic voting is a change for the better.
"This illustrates the amount of work that remains to be done to get a broader acceptance of the new system, particularly among older age groups," Amarach Consulting said.
The levels of support are also directly linked to personal computer or mobile telephone ownership, with 64 per cent and 57 per cent respectively of these categories in favour of change.
The number of people of voting age in the poll stood at 994 of the 1,067 surveyed.
