Save election night?

Thomas Ash, 11 September 2009

Plans are afoot in several constituncies to delay election counts from the nights of votes being cast to the day after. This threat to the tradition of election night results has inspired a protest movement, complete with a 3,500-member Facebook group.

It's hard not to sympathize with those opposed to the change: a late night spent watching one of the Dimblebys is a ritual for millions of people, one of the few times they feel a part of the democractic proces, and to lose it would be a shame. Of course, there are considerations of cost and aaccuracy on the other side of the issue, and the introduction of time-consuming checks on postal votes apparently has someting to do with the proposed delays. But if you do decide election night is worth saving for all that, you can join the campaign here.

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