Government research into electronic voting has revealed mixed opinions among the general public.

The research, carried out by De Montfort University, showed that trials on 2.5 million potential voters at local elections earlier this month found that in some areas where electronic methods were used, turnout actually fell by 0.4 per cent to 27.6 per cent.

The findings indicate that many people feared that their votes were not secure, and that some had difficulty dealing with Pin codes.

While users liked the idea of voting online, they rejected the use of SMS which they felt trivialised the election.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford insisted that the research was an important step in testing alternative ways of voting that may make the process easier.

"Any changes to the voting system must be properly researched to ensure that they are of real benefit to the public, as well as incorporating effective safeguards against abuse," he said.

Raynsford claimed that the government was proceeding in a measured way with a series of pilots, all of which will be evaluated by the independent Electoral Commission.

"I believe the pilots were a success. The postal voting pilots clearly did have a positive impact on the level of turnout," he said.

The minister explained that e-voting was considered easy to use, and that more than 10 per cent of those who voted in Swindon did so over the internet, slightly more than those who voted by post.