You published letters from me last year that expressed concern at the all-postal voting system for our local elections as it was obviously not as safe and secret as the returning officer purported it to be.

Nevertheless, I was compelled to accept assurance it was completely fair and secure and the fact more votes were received was regarded as encouraging, which was all that seemed to matter. I was therefore pleased to see the timely and well-publicised condemnation of this system reported in The Argus on Friday.

Among other faults, it was found that requiring witnesses to sign a declaration of identity breached the principle of a secret ballot. I think this report vindicates my criticism and possibly puts a question mark over last year's results.

-Ken Chambers, Brighton