Electronic voting will not be introduced in time for the 2021 general election, it has been confirmed.

Cabinet Office Minister Chris Thomhas said that while digital options had been looked at, nothing would happen for the next House of Keys poll.

He said: ’The Cabinet Office is committed to embracing digital technology to improve engagement and the delivery of public services, and the door remains open in terms of the future use of e-voting systems.

’However, on the balance of evidence available at this time, it is not considered an appropriate or cost-effective option for the Isle of Man in 2021.’

Mr Thomas gave the update in response to a Tynwald question tabled last week by Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey).

The minister said the situation would remain under review.

’The concept of online voting is attractive in terms of convenience for electors, and it has potential perhaps - probably - to increase some voter turnout,’ he said.

’Similarly, the use of electronic voting machines at polling stations, enabling the touch-screen selection of candidates, could help to streamline processes and speed up election counts.’

Advances in blockchain-based mobile voting were also being monitored.

But he added: ’While there are benefits, however, the use of electronic voting systems presents a number of significant challenges and concerns in respect of security, privacy, secrecy and cost.’

John Turner, former chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, considered the issue when he conducted a review of the island’s electoral legislation.

Mr Turner remarked: ’The current trend is to move away from electronic voting systems for statutory elections because of security and integrity concerns and those relating to cyber interference from outside agencies.’