X marks the spot.

Once again people are bemoaning the low turnout at elections, and it is being suggested that voters should be bribed into voting by entering all those who do vote into a draw with a chance of winning a game console or something such. What nobody seems to realise (or is not prepared to acknowledge) is that failure to vote may well in itself be a statement - either that the person concerned sees no point in voting, or that they do not support any of the candidates on offer. I think the provision of a "None of the above" box on ballot papers might well result in a higher turnout.