Electronic voting

Sir, – The Dutch authorities will count by hand all the votes cast in next month’s general election, ditching “vulnerable” computer software to thwart any hacking attempt.

If I recall correctly the now infamous e-voting machines purchased during the Bertie Ahern era were all sourced from the Netherlands. They reportedly cost the Irish taxpayer over €54 million before the 7,000-odd machines were sold to a metal recycling firm in 2012 for the princely sum €70, 267.

Perhaps like the confessional, the sanctity of the ballot box is impervious to technological advances. It’s a great pity that it had to cost us so much to find this out in the first place. Yours, etc,

TOM McELLIGOTT

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Listowel, Co Kerry.