An electronic voting system may be introduced in the forthcoming general election in areas where Sinn Fein support is at its strongest, it was reported today.
The system could be introduced in a bid to prevent `personisation', following reports of a "concerted" campaign of electoral fraud in the last elections for the Northern Assembly.
The constituencies which will head up the pilot scheme at the election - likely to be held in late Spring or early Summer - are yet to be announced, the Sunday Tribuneand Sunday Worldreported.
It is understood the Department of the Environment would introduce the new system in three constituencies and rigorous testing of the software was already under way.
Both publications quoted sources claiming the constituencies involved would be heavily Sinn Fein inclined.
PA