Page 1181 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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particular, as this was the first time this system was used, the review focussed in particular on assessing the accuracy of the software in its interpretation of preferences. There were no matters that arose during the operation of the scanning system that led to the decision to undertake this review.
(6) The review of the scanning of ballot papers system verified the high level of accuracy achieved by the system, but did identify a small number of areas where improvements could be made. For the 2012 election the scanning system software will be updated to ensure the program reads the Robson rotation number printed on each of the right and left corners of the bottom of the ballot paper. This will overcome an issue that arose where the corner of one ballot paper was folded over, obscuring the single Robson rotation number normally read by the software. Operational procedures will also be updated to ensure that rulings on ballot papers made by the Electoral Commissioner are not later inadvertently overruled by another official.
(7) In 2010/2011 the Electoral Commission undertook a major upgrade of its website, to update the look and feel of the site and to introduce a content management system. However, the content of the site, which contains extensive information about the ACT’s electoral processes, did not change significantly. No notable feedback from the public has been received by the Commission regarding its revised website.
(8) The frequency of webpage hits to the Electoral Commission’s website has remained consistent with previous activity records since the implementation of its revised look and feel in February 2011. The Commission did not anticipate an increase to website traffic after the changes made as the information presented on the site did not substantially change. While the website has a relatively stable rate of traffic throughout most of the year, it does experience the occasional spike when matters of public interest arise such as the recent redistribution of electoral boundaries activity. As 2012 is an election year, the Commission is expecting a gradual build up in its website traffic with a significant increase at the commencement of the official election period, culminating on election night when the public will be able to access live results on the website through the newly redeveloped Election Results Display System.
(9) Yes.
(10) $10,000.
(11) Yes.
(12) In 2010/2011 savings were achieved as the Commission’s electoral education/information officer acted for part of the year as the office manager while the officer manager took on the role of an election ICT systems upgrade project manager (paid using ICT capital funds). As a result, the electoral education program was implemented on a reduced scale in 2010/2011.
(13) In 2010/2011 the cost of staff learning and development activities was $735, which represented 0.12% of the Commission’s $589k employee expenses. Note that several of the learning and development activities undertaken by staff and listed on page 68 of the Commission’s 2010/2011 Annual Report were undertaken at no cost to the Commission.
(14) The Commission does not have a target percentage cost of learning and development to total employee costs. As the Commission’s employee budget varies according to
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