By EUGENE BINGHAM political reporter
In a sweeping revamp of election-day procedures, some votes will be counted before polling booths close in an effort to get a faster result and avoid last year's debacle.
The cabinet also plans to abolish the need for voters to re-enrol every three years and will change the method of sorting ballot papers.
Documents obtained by the Herald show that the Government intends implementing at least 12 immediate changes before the 2002 election and has set up a task force to look at longer-term changes for 2005.
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson said yesterday that the Government had moved quickly after winning power.
"The purpose of all this is to try and avoid the shambles of the last election which was bequeathed to us."
Confidence in the election process was shaken last year when only 39 per cent of the 67 electorates managed to complete their preliminary counting on election night.
One cabinet report noted: "The [changes] should not only help with the practical management of polling day and the timing of results but should also help rebuild general confidence in the institutions."
Amendments to the Electoral Act to be put before Parliament early next year will allow votes cast early to be counted under strict security from 3 pm on polling day to free staff once booths close at 7 pm.
Returning officers will be under instructions to deal with any referendum votes as a secondary priority.
Last year, general election and referendum tallies were completed before results were released.
The papers, obtained under the Official Information Act, show significant changes to counting and sorting methods. But Margaret Wilson indicated yesterday that much more needed to be done.
"I suppose, to be frank, I see the changes as a transitional measure," she said.
More wide-reaching structural changes and new technologies would be implemented beyond 2002.
The first step towards computerisation will begin at the next election with the likely use of technology to scan rolls to check for multiple votes or other discrepancies.
Staffing was also a prime concern.
A report from the Ministry of Justice noted that some returning officers had indicated they would not be willing to seek reappointment because of the stress endured last year.
"We can expect it will be very difficult to recruit staff for the next election unless we can demonstrate that the system is significantly better and that their jobs will be much more manageable," said the report.
Chief Electoral Officer David Henry said yesterday that he hoped to hire about 3000 extra staff as counters in the evening.
"What was happening was that, by the time evening came around, people were pretty tired," said Mr Henry.
"This should provide fresh pairs of hands."
Returning officers were likely to be hired earlier than usual to give them more time to prepare.
With 19,000 people set to be on the election day payroll, Mr Henry expected the next election to cost more, but he believed it would be worth it.
"Hopefully it will be seen as a benefit."
The changes will also include a requirement for all the state sector to help with staff and resources.
"Really, the proposal is that we can call on the collective muscle of the public service. It might be with premises, equipment or management staff," said Mr Henry.
The Government has decided not to change the ballot paper, tests having concluded that providing separate sheets for party and electorate votes confused the procedure rather than helped.
"On the basis of independent tests of different options for the counting of ballot papers ... the current form of ballot paper [will] be retained but the counting process for election night will be changed administratively," said a September cabinet decision.
Margaret Wilson said the changes would be sent to the justice and electoral select committee for people to make submissions, although the Government hoped to have the law passed in plenty of time for 2002.
Faster counts to end poll night muddle
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