MCKINNEY, Texas, Dec 18, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- Diebold Election Systems, Inc. (DESI), is announcing a complete restructuring of the way the company handles qualification and certification processes for its software, hardware and firmware. This restructuring includes the creation of an executive-level position dedicated to meeting compliance and certification requirements. "We are committed to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures we employ to address certification issues, and to communicate with the respective governing and certification authorities and our customers," said Bob Urosevich, president of Diebold Election Systems.

Voting systems have evolved rapidly over the last few years to keep pace with new laws and regulations and to offer greater accessibility to voters. Notification and certification processes are often inconsistent between jurisdictions -- particularly as those requirements relate to upgrades to qualified and certified systems requested by customers.

"Our responsibility is to work diligently with our customers' governing bodies and the testing authorities to clarify existing processes and to eliminate any confusion that may exist -- and then to fully comply with those requirements," said Urosevich. "Our mandate is full compliance. I am confident the improvements we are implementing will enable us to meet this mandate."

The following actions will be taken immediately to improve compliance:

Creating Compliance and Certification Officer Position

DESI is reorganizing how it administers qualification and certification processes internally. A new department, headed by a Compliance and Certification Officer, will have oversight for all compliance and certification responsibilities. In the past, these responsibilities were managed on a regional basis because of the geographical diversity of our customer base.

Immediate Compliance Review of all Software, Firmware and Hardware

DESI has instituted a thorough internal compliance review of all hardware, firmware and software across its customer network covering more than 30 states. The Compliance and Certification Officer has direct oversight responsibility for the review.

Formalize Compliance and Certification Process

All issues concerning qualification and certification compliance will be administered by the Compliance and Certification office. DESI has implemented stringent internal controls and procedures that formalize the compliance processes it employs with the respective governing and certification authorities and its customers. This will include specific procedures to manage requests for upgrades from customers.

Clarifying Notification and Certification Requirements with Customers and States

DESI is drafting new provisions for all current and future contracts that will specifically delineate duties and responsibilities related to notification, qualification and certification requirements for upgrades, product changes, etc. These provisions will apply to all upgrades whether required by state law or regulation, or requested by one of its customers.

"Our intent in making these organizational changes is to ensure the public's confidence that all of our hardware, software and firmware products are fully certified and qualified by all of the appropriate federal, state and local authorities prior to use in any election," said Urosevich. "Helping ensure the right for all to vote reliably, privately and accurately, including the sight disabled, is of paramount importance to us. Electronic voting makes that possible, and we will continue to improve our processes and technology as we move forward."

Diebold Election Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Diebold, Incorporated, a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery systems and services. Headquartered in McKinney, Texas, Diebold Election Systems provides high-quality voting technology to jurisdictions of all sizes, along with comprehensive service and support capability, and is committed to elections accuracy, security and integrity. For more information on Diebold Election Systems, visit the company's Web site at www.dieboldes.com , or call 1-800-433-VOTE.

SOURCE Diebold, Incorporated

Media, David Bear of Diebold Election Systems, Inc.,
+1-317-997-9300, or dbear@pstrategies.com; or Investors, John Kristoff of
Diebold, Incorporated +1-330-490-5900, or kristoj@diebold.com