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The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI) are a Non-Departmental Public Body of The Northern Ireland Office. The Office is set up to support the Chief Electoral Officer, who is a statutory office holder. The main duties of the Chief Electoral Officer are:
To act as electoral registration officer for all constituencies in Northern Ireland;
To act as returning officer for all elections and referendums in Northern Ireland;
To recommend to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by 16 April each year whether or not a registration canvass should be conducted;
To lead and manage the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI).
Project Scope
The EONI required a comprehensive redevelopment of its website, with these primary goals:
- Enhanced Security and Technological Update: Transitioning the current EONI website onto a more secure and modern Content Management System (CMS).
- User-Centric, Mobile-First Design: Implementing a user-focused approach to improve accessibility, especially for mobile users, ensuring that critical EONI resources are easier to access and navigate.
- Demonstrate EONI’s role in electoral registration and election management, with a primary audience of electors, political stakeholders, and media.
- Provide comprehensive corporate and governance information for auditors and civil servants, promoting transparency and accountability within EONI’s operations.
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The Solution
The project utilised the Umbraco CMS platform. Central to the website redevelopment was the goal of ensuring ease of access to EONI resources and enhancing the overall user experience. Each section of the new site was crafted with a clear and user-focused design approach, aimed at simplifying navigation for both the general public and specialised users, such as auditors and civil servants.
The platform now features seamless access to critical resources such as voter registration, polling station locations, and absentee voting forms, as well as a simplified pathway to submit DRN requests. A structured FAQ section reduces user effort in finding pertinent information, while the updated CMS supports rapid updates, improved security, and optimal functionality across devices, especially mobile.
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Project Highlights
The project encompassed a range of functionalities, enhancing public access to EONI’s essential resources and interactions, including:
Voter Registration
Direct links for immediate voter registration.
Voter Verification
"Am I Registered?" feature to streamline voter verification.
Absent Voting Forms
Easy access to forms for postal and proxy voting, simplifying the process for voters unable to attend polling stations.
Digital Registration Number (DRN) Requests
Facilitating DRN requests through an updated form, ensuring secure and reliable access to this information.
The Result
The successful redevelopment of the EONI website signifies more than just a technological upgrade, it represents EONI’s commitment to modern, accessible, and secure public engagement. By building a responsive, user-centred website, our team has empowered EONI to amplify its role in Northern Ireland’s democratic processes. The platform now serves as a crucial tool in EONI’s mission, enabling enhanced communication and supporting its mission to engage, inform, and uphold electoral integrity across Northern Ireland.
"The website looks great, is easy to use and has a host of new features including using modern technology and a mobile-first design. The new website has also further enhanced our data security."
Dr David Marshall - Chief Electoral Officer Northern Ireland