SIR,

I noticed a number on the back of the voting slips

they issued me. When I asked if they were linked to my

name they said yes, I then went on to ask why and if

anyone will check the slips and cross reference me.

I was told that they were not checked and a court

order would be needed to open up the ballet box, this is

deliberately avoiding my question as I did not ask about

the ballot box.

It would be easy for a person to sit and input my

voting preference into a computer. I always though your

vote was private and confidential, now I find out the state

can easily check your politics. This is wrong – Big Brother

is watching and do not be naive to think otherwise.

This further erodes my trust in the state and

politicians, I can understand now that it's not just apathy

that stops people from voting.

James Griggs

(Monmouth)

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said:

"Presiding Officers must record the poll number of the

elector against the ballot paper number that they were

issued.

"Previously, this was recorded on the counterfoil of the

ballot paper book but now this is recorded on the

Corresponding Number List (CNL).

"Both the counterfoils, and now the CNL, are sealed at the

close of poll by the Presiding Officer and cannot be

opened in any circumstance other than by issue of a high

court order.

"Election documents must be retained for a specific

period following the election after which point all

documents are confidentially destroyed."