*LDRS WALES* ELECTRONIC voting will be gradually re-introduced to full council meetings in Caerphilly almost four years after the technology was first installed. Members supported a transition approach to electronic voting over the course of the next four full council meetings. Initially one item from the report will be voted on electronically, but the use of the system would rise incrementally during the phased re-introduction period. Cllr Barbara Jones, the deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, performance and governance, moved the recommendation, which was seconded by council leader Cllr David Poole. She said: “The democratic services committee unanimously recommended to us that all meetings of full council should utilise the electronic voting system for all votes taken.” Cllr Colin Mann, the leader of the opposition, said he welcomed the re-introduction of electronic voting but was in favour of an immediate implementation. “A lot of us can’t believe it is beyond the wit of people to find the right button and press it, and why it has taken this long – who knows,” said the Llanbradach councillor. “I do welcome using the technology that has been put in front of us at quite a considerable cost and it is long overdue. “I don’t honestly see why we need a transition period – it’s not rocket science to be able to press a button and I think it should come in straight away.” Cllr Mike Davies added: “This has been going on for four years now and we are talking about four buttons. “I don’t think members should be afraid of this – there’s going to be mistakes. “There’s enough of a majority not to be afraid of this. The sooner we get used to it, the better.” The equipment, which was installed following a £40,000 Welsh Government grant in 2014, consists of a microphone, an LCD display and buttons indicating ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘abstain’. In order for the system to work, members would press an additional button to confirm their attendance and must sit in their allocated seat so their vote would be recorded against their name. Prior to the decision, Caerphilly council held training sessions on how to use the electronic system with 44 members attending.