Computer kiosks are another method an election management body (EMB) can use to reach voters. Computer kiosks are typically video display screens placed in public locations, such as shopping centres, government information centres or tourist facilities. Any citizen can use a publicly displayed computer kiosk.
Users can usually access information and services through a computer kiosk by using a so called touch-screen or by using a screen and touching buttons on a key pad. Computer kiosk displays, in general, function like an interactive multimedia web site and they can include recorded audio, text, still pictures, moving video and animation.
Computer kiosks can deliver a vast amount of information, in much the same way as an Internet web site, although they are usually not connected to the Internet. Computer kiosks provided by government agencies often include information related to many different areas of government, in which the electoral process is included. Although it is feasible to have a computer kiosk dedicated to the electoral process, it may help to spread the considerable set up and maintenance costs involved in computer kiosks.
By including a key pad in a computer kiosk application, it may be possible to include some interactive services, such as filling up forms and/or paying bills and paying fines using credit cards or other available banking facilities. They can also be used for checking whether personal information and address stored in the voters’ register, for instance, is up-to-date.
