Letter: Vote counting is a theatrical event

Sir: H B Gould (Letters, 10 May), having observed a few clumsy fingers at a count of votes on 1 May, advocates electronic voting.

The UK's antiquated system is both enormously robust and takes place in full view of observers from all the parties. Occasionally a few papers may get into the wrong pile, but if this would have a significant effect on the result, the procedures for a recount ensure that extra checks are carried out.

Each declaration is a valuable theatrical event. The complete process, extending over a night and most of the next day, provides the nation with a memorable experience which has all the excitement of a race. Think of what it would be like if, instead, voters were provided with an on-line keypad on which to vote. The moment the polls closed a computer in each constituency would have all the data needed to declare the local result. The national result could be declared a few nanoseconds later.

But someone would have had to make absolutely sure that no file could be hacked, that the network was in perfect order, that the software had been tested and that all the computers were backed up by stand-by machines. All this would need an investment of tens of millions of pounds - hardly worth it when general elections take place so infrequently.

Let's keep paper voting slips "on the table" and counted in full view.

BOB YOUNG

Brighton, East Sussex