From Mr R. G. McArtney, MRPharmS
SIR,-I recently received my voting form for the election of members to the Welsh Executive.
Being a democrat I believe that, if offered the opportunity to vote, I will always try to take it - although the choices may be difficult to make at times.
As readers of the PJ will be aware, the Welsh Executive now has its own premises in Cardiff. However, as a result possibly of naivety, lack of funds or the desire to highlight its new address, I noted that the voting papers were to be returned to the Welsh Executive at its Cardiff office.
This does cause me some concern. Voting forms for the Councils of the Society and the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists are sent to an independent scrutineer. Why should it be different for the Welsh Executive? Paranoia suggests a number of concerns: (i) the person who counts the votes could know who I voted for - being a hospital pharmacist that could probably be guessed rather easily anyway, (ii) the count and thus the final result could be open to manipulation, and (iii) the organisation does not have enough money to run the election properly.
This is an unfortunate occurrence at a time when the membership is demanding greater transparency in the Society's business.
Robert McArtney
Cardiff
Ms ERICA BARRIE (secretary, Welsh Executive, Royal Pharmaceutical Society) replies: The Welsh Executive election is conducted according to a rigorous written protocol. It is a multi-stage procedure and each stage is separated so as to avoid circumstances such as those raised as possible areas of concern.
For example, each envelope is examined and checked for validity before being opened. At the next stage each envelope is opened and the folded voting paper removed and the envelope discarded. Only after this is each voting paper unfolded and checked. The count is recorded and double-checked. All this is done under the supervision of the scrutineer who confirms the figures and result. The procedure is no different since moving to the premises in Cardiff before which the voting papers were returned to the Welsh Executive secretariat based in the Lambeth headquarters.
Anyone who would like to see the full procedure is welcome to contact me. We are confident that the process is robust, but would be pleased to consider suggestions for improvement.