Electronic voting introduced for RCVS Council Election 2007

Voting in this year's Council Election is now as easy as a few clicks of a mouse or some button pushes on a mobile. For the first time, members can vote online or by phone for the candidates they would most like to see on RCVS Council.

We are well aware that time is at a premium in the veterinary world, and that 'paper phobia' is an understandably common condition amongst members of the profession. Veterinary access to the internet is also soaring - 91% of respondents to the Survey of the Profession 2006 reported online access at home or at work, or both.

So, whilst members may still vote by post if preferred, electronic voting provides a way to vote easily and securely, and at a time to suit.

There are ten candidates standing for election this year - five of whom are hoping to be re-elected and five who are not currently Council Members. Their short biographies and manifestos are set out in the candidate booklet which has been posted to members this week (along with the ballot paper) and are available to read on the voting website.

Turnout in RCVS Council elections has fallen steadily over the past ten years and now hovers between 15 and 18 percent of the membership. So will electronic voting help? Registrar Jane Hern is remaining realistic. "We're hoping, of course, that electronic voting will help to reverse the decline in turnout, but we're not expecting voting numbers to double at the first attempt!" she says.

"The main message remains that the decisions of RCVS Council affect all areas of the profession, both now and in the future. It is your responsibility to ensure that the people elected to Council are best placed to help the College fulfil its duties. However, if voting electronically is easier to fit into a busy day, or night, then so much the better!"

As previously, the election process is handled for us by Electoral Reform Services Ltd (ERS), the country's leading independent ballot scrutineer, which also runs elections for a number of other professional bodies. ERS will be hosting and monitoring the secure voting website and telephone service, as well as processing the postal returns.

Vote online: Voting now closed

Vote by telephone: 0800 197 4613

Vote by post: return completed ballot paper to ERS in pre-paid envelope provided

ERS must receive all votes by 5pm on Friday, 4 May 2007

Full voting instructions are printed on the ballot paper. If you have not received your ballot paper, please contact Ian Holloway, Senior Communications Officer ([email protected] or 020 7202 0727) who will arrange for an official duplicate to be sent to you.