A report which details suggestions to changes in the running of elections has been sent to Cabinet and the Governor's office.

The news comes the same week as the Voter's Rights Association repeated allegations that the 2007 election saw voters casting ballots in seats they had no right to and up to ten percent of the votes were wrongly cast.

This week VRA chairman Geoff Parker said there were concerns over Government housing created in marginal seats in Southampton East Central and St. David's which were both taken by the Progressive Labour Party off the United Bermuda Party.

Last night Parliamentary Registrar Randy Scott told The Royal Gazette that a comprehensive review of the Parliamentary Election Act had been started before the election and completed after.

Mr. Scott would not say what had been recommended but described it as a pretty comprehensive package of suggestions.

"It will go to Cabinet — that's the normal process for suggested changes to Acts."

Pressed on whether Cabinet would likely sanction changes to a process which had got them re-elected he said the Parliamentary Act had served most Governments very well.

"People trust the electoral system. This is certainly not Zimbabwe, that's for sure.

"Is there a need to review? Sure. As our democracy develops and matures so should the instruments that govern it so we took the opportunity to have a thorough look at the Act and make suggestions."

He said most suggestions had come out of the two recent elections and were administrative in nature. "I don't want to give away too much because I haven't heard anything back from the Cabinet and I don't want to preempt Cabinet."

He said the report had been sent to Cabinet about a month ago and also shared with the Governor who is responsible for the Parliamentary Registrar's office which comes under Government House.

Asked if the Opposition would get the report Mr. Scott said he would "most likely" give them a presentation.

"If I have to do it for one I have got to do it for the other so the Opposition would probably most likely be included but I haven't got the green light yet."

And in a prepared statement released by Government Mr. Scott also said: "Prior to the last election this office undertook a major registration exercise to ensure that voters were correctly registered and I stand by my position that everything allowed under the current legislation was done and continues to be done to ensure that voter's details are accurate on the Parliamentary Register."

VRA co-chairman Geoff Parker said he was happy a review was being done. "This review process is what we were happy to see when we visited with Mr. Scott just prior to the last general election.

"We liked some of his ideas and his apparent desire to suggest improvements. The VRA would be happy to offer additional suggestions for consideration.

"Unfortunately, controlling voter registration has been an effective way to influence election outcomes."

And Mr. Parker added: "There is always the temptation and the possibility that only those changes that favour the party in power will be put into place."

He said there is the further problem where Bermuda's two parties may collude on changes that benefit them but would possibly penalise a third party or independent candidate. Hence the VRA's recommendation for an Independent Election Commission.

"Mr. Scott should not take umbrage," added Mr. Parker. "The VRA has no quarrel with him as an individual.

"We would prefer to see his office and all election-related procedures shielded from political adjudicators and political influence, as could occur under an Independent Election Commission.

"We recognise, as does Mr. Scott, that there will likely always be a need for improvements.

"Thus there will be an ongoing need for and likelihood that the VRA will analyse, comment on and advocate for further steps toward full democracy."