Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The anti-electronic voting campaign group in the Netherlands physically hacked into a machine to demonstrate security flaws. If one hacked into a ballot box one could do that too. It is important to note that the Commission on Electronic Voting made recommendations on how the physical and electronic security of the system could be improved. I understand the Dutch Government has stated publicly that the revelations had no implications for the forthcoming elections. I note from media reports, which I received this morning, this is the view of the Dutch national media too.

The commission also concluded that the main hardware components of the system, including the voting machine, are of good quality and design and are robust against failure and well suited to their purpose.

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