10% of HRM voters cast e-ballots

Municipal election officials in the Halifax region say almost 29,000 peoplecast a ballot online or by phone for the Oct. 18 vote, nearly double the number of early votersin all the advance polls in 2004.

Figures released Tuesday show 28,709 peopletook partin advance e-voting polls on Saturday, Sunday and Monday workingout to about 10 per cent of eligible voters.

About 86 per cent chose the internet and 14 per cent opted to call in their votes.

In comparison, only 15,708 people took advantage of advance polls in the last municipal election in 2004, representing about six per cent of eligible voters.

Election officials are callingHalifax's first foray into electronic voting a success.

There were e-voters in more than 30 countries, with the oldest born in 1913, they said.

"We had people vote from Sri Lanka, from Korea, from over 50 Canadian cities and 25 American states," said Cathy Mellett, e-voting project manager for the Halifax Regional Municipality.

"That's really been the objective from the very beginning, it's about getting voters accessible and participating in the overall election here in the HRM."

Mellett said there were no serious glitches in the system during the voting period.

Officials are hoping to achieve a total voter turnout of 50 per cent in this municipal and school board election.

Only about 36 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in 2000. Voter turnout climbed to 47 per cent in 2004, when a plebiscite on Sunday shopping was held at the same time.

Voters can still cast a paper ballot in advance polls on Saturday and Tuesday, and on election day.