NEWS RELEASE

HRM to Offer E-Voting During Advanced Voting Period in 2008 Elections

(Tuesday, January 22, 2007) - HRM residents will be able to enjoy the convenience of voting from their own homes in the 2008 Municipal and School Board election. Halifax Regional Council today approved an internet/phone voting option in addition to the present system for advanced voting.

"We are looking forward to being the first municipality in the province to offer this convenience to our voters," said Mayor Kelly. "Many seniors and people with mobility issues may not be able to make it to their polling stations to vote; this gives those residents, and all residents, an opportunity to vote in advance using their computer or phone."

"Our hope is that implementing e-voting will lead to an increase in voter participation; the more people who are able to exercise their democratic rights and have their voices heard the better," added Mayor Kelly.

With the new system, voters will be able to vote online or over the phone during the set advanced polling period for the 2008 Municipal and School Board election. Election Day (October 18) voting will remain the same as in previous elections; traditional advanced poll voting options will also still be available.

"Our intention is to give voters in all areas of the municipality the flexibility to vote from their home, place of work, or any location with Internet or phone access, when it is convenient for them during the designated advanced voting period," said Mayor Kelly.

Mayor Kelly noted that the security of the election process was a critical consideration in the decision to provide the e-voting option. "The chosen vendor has proven experience in municipal elections and we have every confidence they will maintain the integrity and security of our upcoming election."

Intelivote Systems Incorporated (ISI), a premier Canadian electronic voting company based in Dartmouth, will provide the integrated telephone and Internet advanced voting for the 2008 HRM Municipal and School Board election. ISI has successfully delivered its electronic voting system to eight Ontario municipalities for municipal elections in 2006 and to two municipal governments in the United Kingdom in 2007.

For more information, a copy of the full report can be found online at http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/080122cow4.pdf

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Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 222-9999

John O'Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
(902) 490-6531