Tired Local Democracy Needs Rejuvenating

Media Statement
For immediate release - Tuesday 16th October 2007
Roger Ellis

Tired Local Democracy Needs Rejuvenating

The low voter turnout in last weekend’s local body elections show that our local democracy is tired, in an unhealthy state and remedial action is needed now. That’s the view of Political Analyst Roger Ellis.

“In the 2004 local body elections there was a record low turnout with only 42% of people voting. This year it looks as if that number will fall even further. When most people can’t be bothered voting then it should ring alarm bells among those who are concerned about democracy at the local level” said Mr Ellis.

Among the changes proposed by Mr Ellis to boost voter participation are:

• Establish Community Boards to increase participation in decision-making at the local level, where there is local support for such an initiative;
• Hold local body elections voting on one day rather than over three weeks so that voting papers don’t get misplaced or left on the shelf;
• Consider electronic voting;
• Promote one electoral system for all elected local authorities so as to avoid confusion of having some STV voting documents and some FPP voting documents in the same envelope;
• Consider returning to use of polling booths rather than postal voting given the failure of postal voting to boost participation.

“It’s important that the Council make a start on a Review of electoral arrangements now so that the reforms can be implemented in time for the 2010 elections” said Mr Ellis.

ENDS

Note for Editor: Roger Ellis holds a Masters degree in Politics with First Class Honours. This year he stood unsuccessfully as an Independent candidate for City Council in the Northern Ward. Blog: www.capitalinsight.blogspot.com

© Scoop Media