I share the concern of Voice of The Argus (March 6) about the possibility of fraud at local and national elections if they are to be conducted by a system of postal or electronic voting in the future.

One of our traditional freedoms has been the secret ballot overseen by local officials at polling stations and by independent scrutineers at the count, with all voting papers transported in sealed ballot boxes.

I would like to know on whose authority these new postal arrangements have been introduced and why such an important matter, which deals with our basic freedoms, has not at the very least been put out to a public referendum?

What happens to postal voting papers when they arrive at town halls and what safeguards are in place to ensure the ballot remains secret?

I was amazed to learn the chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council is also the returning officer for these elections.

Surely it is wrong for a highly-paid official of the council, appointed by the current controlling party, to be put in charge of the election?

Common sense tells us that politicians, some with a reputation for spin, manipulation and control-freakery, should not be allowed to get anywhere near the sending out or the receiving of ballot papers.

If we are not careful, Britain at some stage could end up under a dictatorship with elections rigged to produce near 100 per cent votes for those in power, as regularly happens abroad.

It is possible the majority of the electorate locally do not vote because they are just not interested, although the more likely explanation is that some of the candidates represent their own particular views.

-Alan Nunn, Pipers Close, Hove