With only months before nominations open for
the 2006 municipal election, it is imperative that a discussion
on local democracy occurs. I would like
nothing more than to begin the process of
implementing strategies that would move Greater Sudbury toward
being the most democratic city in Canada.
Firstly we need a forum so individuals can
voice their concerns with the electronic voting tabulation
machines utilized during the last election.
This technology was implemented on the
premise that final election results could be available minutes
after the polls closed. It was hours before results
were completely available (in the last
election.)
There is also waiting line, voter anxiety,
transportation of machinery and malfunction issues that must be
addressed.
If trust in this technology by the electorate
can't be achieved, we must go back to the paper ballot.
It is the municipal level of government that
the people have more direct access to and which provides the
tangible services we expect. There is no
excuse for pitiful election participation
rates and processes that discourage trust in the democratic
system. It is as this time of preparation for the next election
that community input must occurred so as to ensure an enviable,
local democratic process in the end.
Joe Cimino
Greater Sudbury