Tower Hamlets is set to introduce new digital voting technology for its upcoming elections, aiming to streamline the process for voters and election officials.
A key innovation will be the introduction of digital polling stations. At these stations, voters will scan a QR code on their polling card. When voters scan these codes, the system will identify the correct ballot papers to issue, automatically record this on statutory documentation, and log the voter ID check on a touchscreen. The presiding officer can then close down the iPad, and all data will be synced directly to the count venue.
Robert Curtis, Head of Electoral Services, explained that this digital system is designed to make the process more convenient and quicker for voters, and importantly, will sync all data directly to the count venue, eliminating the need for manual paperwork and reducing delays. The technology has reportedly been tested and used successfully in other councils across the country.
Further enhancements for voters include the McGonagall Reader, a new device for visually impaired individuals that provides audio and tactile voting assistance. For those concerned about privacy when verifying identity, particularly those wearing religious headwear, Mr. Curtis assured that privacy screens and separate areas would be available, with presiding officers trained to assist discreetly.
Dispatch of poll cards and postal vote information is underway, with 215,000 items being sent out. The verification and count for the elections will take place at the Excel Exhibition Centre.
Assurances were given that hard copy application forms for registration and postal votes remain available and can be processed by officers, although they must ultimately be uploaded to the government portal. Efforts are also being made to engage with the community through social media and bilingual staff to encourage postal vote registration, particularly in Bengali and Somali languages.
While the meeting stated that 'all of the data will be synced straight into the count venue' after the presiding officer closes down the iPad at the digital polling stations, the specific types of data and how it will be secured during transmission and storage were not detailed. [1]
[1] The specific data synced and its security measures were not detailed in the meeting information. See the Agenda frontsheet 17th-Mar-2026 16.00 General Purposes Committee.
