Electronic vote at the next LSC elections: we want it. What about you?

18/02/2015 No comments
You may have learned from a recent broadcast message the negative opinion of the Local Staff Committee regarding the introduction of an electronic voting system for the upcoming elections of the next LSC.
The outcome was 10 votes against, 8 votes in favour, and 3 abstentions.

As R&D Ispra, we expressed our support – and we voted in favour – of the electronic voting system. 

You agree with us? Make your voice heard!
The opinion of the Trade Unions and of the LSC is immaterial. All decisions regarding the electoral process are decided by you – the staff!

This power is exercised in the General Assembly that will be held next Wednesday 25/2 at 11.00: we recommend that you come and support our proposal (English extract - French full version) to introduce the same electronic voting system that is already in place in Brussels.

Since many years an electronic voting system is used for the elections of Staff Committees in Brussels, Luxembourg and EEAS/Delegations, leaving Ispra (and Seville) as the only large site where traditional paper ballot is still in use. This system has proven to be reliable and trustworthy, and it is supported by ALL Trade Unions, including those which  - rather oddly - here in Ispra are against. 

Some more background information… 
A note from the Head of the Human Resources Unit further clarifies the individual position of each Trade Union on this subject:

  • Trade Unions in favour of "easy voting" from your office: R&D Ispra, FFPE Ispra, U4U and Generation 2004

  • Trade Unions against "easy voting" from your office: US Ispra/Seville, TAO-AFI Ispra, Save Europe Ispra/Seville, CISL/FIR, SFIE and ISCA Ispra/Seville

We wish to stress that R&D Ispra has always been in favour of the electronic vote, and never changed its mind! 

What are the advantages of the electronic vote?

  • Each staff member votes from a PC at their workplace – no need to move to the polling station and no more queuing. Each voter is responsible for the confidentiality of his own vote. We fully trust that our colleagues in Ispra and Seville, like those of Brussels, Luxembourg and EEAS, are able to guarantee the correctness of the electoral process. 

  • With an electronic voting system, no void or null votes can be made involuntarily (such as, for instance, the indication of more than 21 individual preferences, or the vote for a list combined with individual preferences). 

  • Results would be immediately available at the end of the voting process, with no risk of involuntary mistakes of the scrutiny and need for recounts.  

  • No more need for the costs of a mission to Seville to seal the ballot box and bring it to Ispra for the scrutiny. 

  • Participation in the electoral process may increase, thanks to the easier access to the voting system.

Let’s show we are truly an innovative Research Centre, and that we are ready for a change - even if we arrive last within the Commission. Dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago... to ensure a modern electoral system come to the General Assembly on Wednesday 25/2 at 11.00!


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