New Democratic Party of Canada Selects election.com to Conduct First Online Leadership Election; First Political Party in Canada to Adopt Internet Voting.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

OTTAWA & GARDEN CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2002

The New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) and election.com today announced that election.com will conduct the NDP's first online leadership election in January 2003.

All Party members will have the option of voting remotely via the Internet or the traditional way with a postal paper ballot. Internet voting will also be available at the leadership convention for on-site delegates and members in attendance.

"The NDP is the first party in Canada to adopt Internet voting," Chris Watson, Federal Secretary of the NDP, said. "election.com was the obvious choice to help us with this historic election. Their international experience, track record and commitment to security are unsurpassed in the elections market."

By giving members more choices in where they vote -- from home, work, a local library or any Internet-enabled computer -- the NDP expects to increase participation in the election. Between 1 and 2 percent of members voted in the Party's last leadership election.

If a run-off vote is required after the first round of election results, members will be able to vote in real-time via the Internet in subsequent election rounds. Members can watch the convention unfold on television and then cast their vote. The entire NDP election process, including security, development of the ballot paper and online voting site, coordination of run-off votes, tabulation and reporting, will be managed by election.com.

"Internet voting will not only make the election process easier and more convenient for members, but it will also introduce an element of interactivity to the leadership vote that we've never had before," Watson said. "We expect that the new system will boost voter turnout and engage members in the convention proceedings."

election.com has developed voting systems for political entities in the US, including the Arizona Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee. election.com also has extensive experience conducting elections in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. election.com recently developed the United Kingdom's first electronic voting system for the May 2002 local government elections in Liverpool and Sheffield, in partnership with British Telecom. The project represented the world's largest and most comprehensive public election trial of alternative voting methods, including the Internet. Election results proved that voters in Sheffield and Liverpool endorse greater choice and convenience in voting methods.

Other election.com clients include the Sierra Club, Public Services Commercial Union (UK), Birmingham City Council (UK), the London Borough of Lewisham (UK), Caboolture Shire Council (Australia), the National Road and Motor Association (Australia) and Grey District Council (New Zealand).

"The New Democratic Party is breaking new ground in Canada by being the first political party in the country to introduce Internet voting," Mark Prieto, President of election.com, said. "We are proud to be working with the NDP to make their election process more accessible and interactive than ever before."

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 customized 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.