Election fiasco could lead to lower turnout

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Last year’s election fiasco will have significant repercussions for voter turnout, a new study has found.

Research carried out by Strathclyde University found that 1 in 12 voters are now less likely to vote.

The study also showed that 43 per cent of Scottish voters thought that the scandal, in which 140,000 ballot papers were improperly completed and discarded, resulted in an unfair outcome. These feelings come despite the fact that the number of papers that were affected amounted to just 5 per cent of the total votes cast.

The 2007 election saw the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote electoral method for local elections, while the parliamentary elections held on the same day continued to use the Additional Members System.

The decision to combine both electoral methods and votes on the same day created considerable controversy. In addition, the use of party slogans in the place of party names on ballot papers added to a general sense of confusion and a record number of ballots being spoiled.

1000 voters who had participated in the election were surveyed; the results showed that 5 per cent were ‘less likely’ and 3 per cent ‘much less likely’ to take part in the next election. If this is an accurate reflection of voter sentiments, it will mean that voter turnout in 2011 could reach an all-time low of 44 per cent from last year’s 52 per cent showing.

The increased voter disillusionment refects the 62 per cent of people surveyed who believe that the results of the last election were a direct consequence of the mistakes made. The fiasco has also dissuaded 43 per cent of people who did not vote previously from voting in the future.

Dr Christopher Carman of Strathclyde University, co-author of the project, said: "We're not saying that voters would stay away from the polls in droves, but it is significant."

If noticeable changes are not implemented, Scotland's leaders risk alienating a generation of voters.

Dr Carman said: “I don't think they will convince these voters who are right now being turned off the political process.”

There was a great deal of finger pointing at Holyrood following election results and the subsequent Gould Report into the fiasco.

An SNP spokesperson claimed that: "The election confusion was the responsibility of the Scotland Office, which is why the first recommendation of the Gould Report – to transfer the running of future Scottish elections from Westminster to Holyrood – needs to be implemented."

However, a senior source at the Labour-run Scottish office said: "It is an overwhelming rejection of the SNP's big plan to blame Westminster for everything that went wrong and to take control of the running of the elections, which is supported by a mere 8 per cent of Scots."

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