The Easy-Vote card which has been used in the last couple of elections should be reinstated says Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little .

The Electoral Amendment Bill which had its second reading today removed clauses in the original Bill that would have seen the use of the Easy-Vote card confirmed for all future general elections.

The card is attached to enrolment confirmation forms and contains an elector’s vital details. It speeds up the issuing of ballot papers at a voting booth.

“The Easy-Vote card has been a god-send for voting booth personnel when dealing with people for whom English is not a first language as well as people who have speech difficulties.

“Government members expressed concern there could be identity fraud or other misuse, but there is no evidence of this happening in elections in which the card has been used.

“The Bill makes it a specific requirement to verbally advise a poll clerk of your details whereas the existing law doesn’t require verbal confirmation.

“This starts to look like an attempt to introduce a new hurdle to voters, especially when the Easy-Vote card has proved so successful.

“We will put up an amendment to reinstate the Easy-Vote card and make sure our election procedures ensure greater access, not less.”

ENDS

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