Oscars online voting fail causes red faces at Academy
Logins don't work, new passwords sent by snail mail
By Derek du Preez | Computerworld UK | Published: 09:16, 03 January 2013
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been forced to extend the deadline for this year’s Oscar nominations after its members experienced problems with a new online voting system.
The deadline has been extended by 24 hours to January 4, reports the BBC.
Although members can still choose to vote by postal ballots, this is the first time that the Academy has allowed votes online to be registered.
Reports suggest that members were having problems logging in with their passwords, amidst concerns that the website could be hacked.
Morgan Spurlock, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2004 for his documentary Super Size Me, tweeted that he was not able to log on to submit his e-vote.
He said: “The password they sent didn’t work for my login – and they couldn’t email me a new login, only snail mail.”
The Academy has said that the extension will help ensure that members are given enough time to overcome any problems voting.
"By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible," said the academy's chief operating officer, Ric Robertson.
Nominations for the 2013 Academy Awards will be announced on January 10.
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