As questions remain over the effectiveness of online Oscar voting, the Academy on Thursday [14] urged members to return paper ballots well in advance of the Feb 19 deadline.

The 5,856 voting members of the Academy have until 5 pm PT on Feb 19 to vote in up to 24 categories.

This year marks the first time Academy members have been given the option of voting online. However the method has caused difficulties for some, who admit privately they have been unable to operate the system or locate the names of candidates.

The Academy wants those members who choose to vote by paper to return ballots promptly before Monday’s Presidents Day bank holiday.

Ballots received after the deadline will not be counted.