Experimenting with Electronic Voting Registration: The Case of Belgium

Abstract

The paper describes the introduction of experimental systems of electronic voting registration in Belgium, one of the first European countries (along with The Netherlands) to venture in this direction. The 1991 introduction of electronic voting registration has still not resulted in any form of electronic distance voting. Examination of criticism of the automatisation of voter registration focuses on a perceived lack of attainment of policy objectives of manpower and cost reduction, speed and accuracy; yet despite this criticism, there is no debate on electronic voting registration, unlike in the U.S.