The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended the voting deadline for Oscar nominations by one day. The decision was made over concerns that problems with the new online Oscar voting system could lead to record-low turnout.

This is the first year the Academy is offering its members the ability to vote online. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences warned however that any votes received after the new deadline will not be counted.

"By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible," Academy Chief Operating Officer Ric Robertson explained in a statement. "We're grateful to our global membership for joining us in this process."

Reports have emerged of users having difficulty accessing the Oscars' first-ever online voting system. Fears that the system could be hacked have raised further questions about balloting for the 85th annual contest, AP reported.

Last week, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, whose film 'Super Size Me' was nominated for best documentary in 2004, posted on Twitter that he was unable to login to vote electronically and his ballot was mailed to him instead.

"The password they sent didn't work for my log-in – and they couldn't email me a new log-in, only snail mail," the director tweeted.

Oscar voting used to be conducted only through paper ballots sent through the mail. The new system allows members to choose between voting online or using the traditional mail-in ballot.

"There's considerable concern from many members that voter participation will be at record lows this year because the people who wanted to take a chance on this new cutting-edge system are either giving up on it or worried they won't be able to cast their votes," awards analyst and Hollywood Reporter blogger Scott Feinberg was quoted as saying.

The Academy has made several voting resources available to its members, including assisted voting stations in Los Angeles, New York and London, as well as a 24-hour support line.

The nominations and final Awards ballots will be verified by the Academy and its longtime accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The 85th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on January 10.

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