Digital, or e- democracy or teledemocracy is a system whereby voters can vote via electronic voting systems such as the Internet. Through the means of modern technology voters would be able to submit their votes (e-ballots) through an electronic network. This system would greatly enhance the participation and involvement of loyal, concerned and caring Dominican citizens who are residing away from the island. We would be able to vote, influence, and participate fully in the democratic future of our island. In today's computer age and the fact that a vast majority of Dominicans are residing away from our beloved homeland, new ways and initiatives and encouragements of getting our expatriates to vote should be explored urgently. Through this initiative, Dominican citizens will be able to cast their votes in general elections and referendums in Dominica from almost anywhere where there is a computer and modem. At their place of residence, work or business, while traveling, and else where.

It is often difficult to predict the future because in this computer revolution things are very fluid and are changing very rapidly. However what can be predicted is that computer technology and telecommunications advances will accelerate at a faster pace and will continue to have a tremendous impact on our daily lives. One can predict that in less than a decade from now the computer modem and mouse will probably be added as a means and method of voting and casting one's ballot for the candidate or political party of choice. The age-old method using the stubby pencils or pens in curtained voting booths across the nation on election days, will have a new, efficient and effective 21st century modern day partners, which are electronic networks and systems.

Voters could register their choice either from home via the Internet or online using a pin number, just like making a credit card transaction or using a cash machine. The critical point is to secure the identification of the individual. This could probably be best achieved using a system similar to automatic banking with an account number held on a card used in conjunction with a pin number. There are more expensive, secure and highly sophisticated electronic systems that can also be used. The world's first national electronic voting trial was scheduled for testing in New Zealand, this past December. At this first trial 21,000 volunteers which are approximately 1% (percent) of the voting population from across the country was scheduled to participate in this new, innovative and far-reaching initiative.

Where are the computer and the telecommunications revolution leading society? How is it shaping and redefining government and democracy? The conversation room on the Cakafete Internet website is providing Dominicans at home and abroad with much needed and appreciated information, discussion and debate. These different points of views and political discussions are most often conducted in a friendly and in a highly professional, cordial and dignified atmosphere.

[Congratulations and thanks to the folks at Cakafete, the Independent, Chronicle and others for providing us with critical information via the Internet in a timely manner. You are on the cutting edge to something that is much bigger than all of us who love this land called Dominica. Keep the lines of communication going and keep up the very dedicated work. You are providing a very invaluable forum for (maybe) the next generation of political leaders of Dominica who are away from the island taking care of unfinished business. Soon, in the not too distant future they will have to take the reigns of power and leadership. Because of your efforts we are able to study and analyze the breaking and up to date news and situations on the ground in a timely manner.]

The move toward digital (tele) democracy is bound to accelerate with society's reliance upon technology to conduct everyday business. The use of the Internet to gain access to, and influence government, poses new challenges for governments in the new millennium. The impact of information technology on the democratic process is far reaching and monumental. Adopting electronically means of voting will speed up the voting process. Currently it takes long hours and sometimes even days (especially in tightly contested races) for voting slips to be counted. With e- ballots results can be available just hours or minutes after voting closes with pin point accuracy and efficiency.

Digital democracy and voting have the very strong potential of definitely holding governments and leaders more responsible. Also, greater numbers of people who are eligible to vote will exercise that noble and privileged civic duty. Dominicans who are residing away will definitely participate in the electorial process overwhelmingly. Their response will be even more massive than their show of support and goodwill which were shown for the nation's 21st Independence anniversary. A recent study indicated that in most Caribbean countries, large portions of the economy survive because of remittances that families receive from their loved ones who are away sacrificing in the big city. When Dominica and our folks hurt we hurt, when our island is in trouble we are also in trouble. We will ensure that we are registered to vote in order to be effective and maybe deciding factors in which party or candidates form our government and what policies are implemented.

Critics of televoting probably have strong contempt for that initiative. The usual fears about voter fraud and computer crashes ( Y2K anyone?) will be probably be voiced. Also the cost of providing computers and logistics will be voiced also. With computers becoming a household and office item has also meant that the price is more afordable.One may also ask the rhetorical question; should a price be put on achieving real democracy ? Some may even charge that elections can be hijacked as a result of televoting as it may be nothing but a form of absentee balloting. On the issue of absentee balloting, the United States have used it for many decades. As the new Millennium takes hold, the jury is still out on Digital voting and Teledemocracy. We will have to wait and see what happens in places like New Zealand, California and some parts of England and in the various states, municipalities and counties in United States who are, or will be experimenting with this new age concept.

Traditionally, election fraud has been prevented through the use of physical security measures, audit trails, and observers representing of all parties and candidates who are involved in the election process. The prevention of election fraud when electronic voting is used can be probably be made more difficult by the requirement that votes remain private. Other critics of televoting (teledemocracy) content that while we may be busy fighting the criminalization of democracy, we may be succumbing in the 21 St. century to the criminal hijacking of democracy. That is a valid point which ought to be studied, analyzed and debated.

My personal views on thought provoking, cutting edge and very important issue and question of electronic voting are that proper laws should be enacted and proper and highly technically trained personnel ( not political appointees) given the responsibility to operate and monitor the system. That's one of the most reliable and easiest ways to ensure that success of the system. Theses laws and policies will deter and prohibit wrongful manipulation, fraudulent use, or violations of the integrity of the electronic election systems which are used for voting and tallying of e-ballots. Strong penalties and sanctions have to be imposed and enforced. In the final analysis, the soon to be reality of casting ballots (e-ballots) via electronic methods and arrangements should not endanger democracy. Getting the wrong people voted in government really endangers the democratic process as we have witnessed all too well in Dominica and in other parts of the world. UP

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