To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what options she is considering for the introduction of (a) electronic and (b) internet-based measures to reform the electoral process, broken down by stage of the electoral process; and if she will make a statement. [53886]

We are considering how modern technology can be used to support and develop the electoral process. This could include registration, voting itself and the counting of ballots. Pilots to occur at the May 2006 local elections will include e-counting and the use of electronic electoral registers to support our investigation of how such technology might be employed in the future. Information Technology may also be valuable in providing information to voters during an election period and between elections to promote and facilitate democratic engagement and participation.