Latest elections held by the Association of Optometrists were flawed and should be re-run according to a former chairman of the organisation.
Nigel Burnett Hodd, AOP national chairman in 1988 and on the AOP council for over 26 years, was reacting to this year's move to an online system.
Complaints about the change resulted in original deadlines being extended by a fortnight for elections in four UK regions (News 30.03.12).
In a letter sent to Optician, Burnett Hodd said: 'I know of no optical organisation that votes online and I deplore the lack of information available to make it a fair vote and the lack of records afterwards for me to refer to. It is my opinion, already voiced to the AOP, that the election should be declared null and void and that paper ballots should be sent out and established procedures followed.'
David Craig, AOP director of operations, admitted some teething problems with the move online but said voting figures had not suffered.
'Voting electronically has been managed by the Electoral Reform Society, which has huge experience in all matters relating to voting and has been through this transition with many other organisations,' he added.
Burnett Hodd said the AOP was manned by dedicated optometrists and served by a dedicated staff under Richard Carswell. But he questioned why the previous system had been changed.
He said: 'The system was foolproof. By using first class post, addressed envelopes and easy to read forms, the voting process was quick, easy and accessible to all members however computer illiterate and whatever their eyesight.'
The election results have now been received and published on the AOP website. Craig added they could not be made null and void because the decision to change to electronic voting was made according to its rules.
He added: 'The AOP would be flying in the face of progress were it to insist on keeping the vote postal. The cost savings for the Association, especially with postal costs set to rise dramatically, and the speed and ease of the process make a convincing case for the change.'
