BT and Election.com Launch e-voting Systems in Liverpool for UK Local Government Elections; Liverpool Voters to Cast Votes Via Text Message, Internet and Phone.

Business Editors

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

BT and election.com have been selected by the UK Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) to conduct an innovative e-voting trial in Liverpool for the May 2002 Local Government elections.

More than 21,000 voters in Liverpool will be among the first UK citizens to experience e-voting firsthand.

Voters in Church and Everton wards will be able to use the Internet, text messaging or a standard telephone to cast their vote from 9:00 am on April 26 until the close of polling at 9:00 pm on May 2. Voters not comfortable with the new technologies can vote via traditional methods -- in-person at polling stations or postal ballots. Paper-based votes cast in Liverpool will be counted using a new e-counting, barcode system.

The Liverpool pilot marks a first step towards making e-voting a reality, bringing the polls to the people and facilitating better participation in the democratic process. The Government Office of the e-Envoy, which is currently leading the drive to get the UK on-line, has endorsed this e-voting pilot as an important step in efforts to modernize the UK's election process.

A similar trial will also take place in Sheffield. BT and election.com will be working closely with both local authorities to introduce the state-of-the art voting methods and to help ensure voters are comfortable with the new technologies. The Liverpool City Council has implemented an extensive publicity campaign to educate residents in the pilot wards about the new voting methods available to them in this election.

Liverpool City Council leader, Mike Storey, said: "While many people still like to vote by marking their cross with the traditional stubby pencil in a polling booth, there are new ways in which people can have their say. And people have already shown they like those methods. The polls for Pop Idol and Big Brother showed that the public is willing to vote in massive numbers by telephone and online. Using 21st century methods like this gives people more flexibility and freedom in the ways in which they can vote. They can choose how they do it - and when. It is more convenient for them. People lead increasingly busy lives - this is all about making it easier for people to have their say and to exercise their democratic rights."

Stuart Hill, director of BT Stepchange, says, "There's growing realisation at all levels of government of the need to change and adapt to people's attitudes and lifestyles - and to find ways of keeping them plugged in - in many cases, quite literally - to the democratic process."

"New technology is helping government improve services in many different ways - the move to e-voting is an evolutionary process. We recognize that many people are not fully comfortable with the concept of voting by telephone or the internet. This pilot will test a mix of technologies and services that will make voting accessible and easy for everyone in the UK. We will be looking closely at practical applications that are supported by robust and secure systems."

Julia Glidden, the UK director of election.com, said: "The UK e-voting pilots will be the first major public sector implementation of online voting. Providing 21st century voting methods for 21st century lifestyles is a natural extension of the Government's path-breaking e-Democracy agenda and represents a potentially important step in the effort to address declining voter turnout."

The trials are being funded by the DTLR, with involvement from the Electoral Commission. If successful, the e-voting systems could be rolled out across the UK.

About BT

BT Group plc is one of the world's leading providers of telecommunications services and one of the largest private sector companies in Europe. Its principal activities include local, long distance and international telecommunications services, Internet services and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 28 million exchange lines and as well as providing network services to other licensed operators. BT stepchange.gov is the highly specialised part of BT, which is spearheading this project for the company.

About BT Stepchange

BT stepchange.gov has been set up to work jointly with the public sector to help transform public services. Delivering high quality services that meet the needs of UK citizens and business and formulating policy in an increasingly complex world demands joined-up working across the public sector. BT understands the challenge this presents - it has itself achieved a major organisational transformation based on exemplary use of electronic applications, innovation and effective change management.

BT stepchange.gov is working closely with people across the public sector to help shape and implement policy, inform new thinking, share good practice, test ideas, manage change and deliver practical solutions - be they innovative pilots or major projects. Backed by the resources of the BT Group, the stepchange.gov team not only understand the issues but also have real experience of partnership and effective delivery.

About election.com

election.com, the leading global managed election services provider, provides election solutions for public and private sector entities around the world. election.com develops customised and flexible election solutions using paper, telephone and the Internet. With its world-class team of election experts and customer-focused approach, election.com is uniquely positioned to help its clients leverage their elections to improve communication with key constituencies. election.com (www.election.com) has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.