Right2Vote’s Genuine STQC Certification: Why It Matters and How to Spot the Difference

When it comes to online voting, trust is everything. If voters don’t trust the platform, they won’t trust the results. At Right2Vote, we understand this better than anyone, which is why we made sure our platform is certified by STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate).

But here’s the truth: not every company that claims to have STQC certification actually has the full and genuine certification for eVoting and Certified Quality Website (CQW Level 2). Some companies only get a small part of the testing done, like security testing of a web application, and then showcase it as if they are fully STQC certified for eVoting. That’s like owning a BMW bicycle and pretending it’s the same as a BMW car. Yes, both are BMW products, but there’s a huge difference between the two.

In this blog, I’ll explain:

• What STQC certification really means. 
• The difference between genuine certification and partial testing. 
• Why do customers often get confused? 
• The step-by-step process of getting a Certified Quality Website (CQW) certificate. 
• The kinds of testing STQC performs. 
• Why Right2Vote’s certification is the real deal, and why it matters for you. 

What Exactly is STQC Certification and Why is it Important?

STQC stands for Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification, which is a wing of the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). STQC provides quality assurance services in IT and electronics. In simple words, it is the official body that checks whether a digital system, website, or platform meets the highest standards of security, performance, and compliance.

For websites, STQC gives something called the Certified Quality Website (CQW) certificate. This is not just a sticker or logo it is proof that a website has gone through multiple rounds of testing. STQC CQW Level 2 certificate for eVoting entails many tests, including:

1. Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) checklist
2. Audit of MCA Checklist
3. Function testing
4. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) of Network
5. Web Application Security Compliance (OWASP Top 10)
6. Vulnerability Assessment (VA) of cloud servers

In all there are more than 500 parameters on which an eVoting platform is tested by STQC before CQW certification. In comparison Web Application Security Compliance (OWASP Top 10) is just 10 parameters. Which means only 2%!

When a platform like Right2Vote is certified by STQC, it means:

• The website is secure and protected against cyber threats.
• The website has all the required functionalities and all functions perform as per requirement
• The system is user-friendly and accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
• The platform follows proper government rules and best practices.
• The backend processes (like data handling, servers, etc.) are safe and reliable.
  

The Big Confusion: Full STQC Certification vs. Partial Testing

Here’s where things get tricky. Some companies showcase themselves as “STQC Certified,” but in reality, they are not certified for eVoting or for Certified Quality Website. What they have is only a partial certificate for one small type of testing, such as web application security.

The BMW Car vs. Bicycle: Understanding the Difference

To understand the difference, let’s go back to the example.

BMW makes both cars and bicycles. Owning a BMW bicycle is fine, but you cannot say you own a BMW car. Similarly, Right2Vote has the BMW car equivalent a full STQC certification for Certified Quality Website in eVoting while others only have the bicycle equivalent a small certificate for just one type of testing.

Remember:

• BMW Car = Full STQC Certified Quality Website (CQW) for eVoting
• BMW Bicycle = Partial STQC certificate for small testing (like OWASP Top 10)

Both are “BMW,” but one is miles ahead in value, reliability, functionality and performance. Same with STQC certification.

The main problem is that most customers don’t know the difference. If a company shows them a partial certificate, they assume it means full STQC certification. This creates confusion and, unfortunately, allows fraudulent companies to mislead customers.

Fake Claims Alert: How Some Companies Mislead Customers

There are also some companies that falsely claim to be STQC certified when they are not certified at all. This is a serious issue because it misguides customers into trusting platforms that may not be secure or reliable for something as important as voting.

How to Verify if a Company is Truly STQC Certified

The safest way to check is to look at the official STQC list of certified websites and companies, which is updated regularly. You can see the list here:
Official STQC Certified Website List

Right2Vote is proudly listed here with genuine certification.

Types of Testing in STQC Certification

The Certified Quality Website (CQW) certification is not about just one type of test. It’s a group of tests that together confirm that the website is safe, user-friendly, and compliant.

Here are the major types of testing involved:

1. Accessibility Testing 
   • Ensures the website can be used by people with disabilities. 
   • Follows international guidelines like WCAG. 
2. Usability Testing 
   • Checks how easy it is for people to use the site. 
   • Evaluates navigation, content clarity, and user experience. 
3. Security Testing 
   • Identifies vulnerabilities like SQL injection or XSS attacks. 
   • Includes penetration testing to simulate hacker attacks. 
4. Compliance Testing 
   • Ensures the website meets laws, regulations, and government guidelines. 
   • Checks for privacy policies and proper domain use. 
5. Functionality Testing 
   • Verifies that all features of the website work properly. 

In addition, STQC also performs:

• Performance testing – to check speed and response under heavy load. 
• Maintainability and Portability testing – to see if the website can be updated and run on different systems. 
• Interoperability testing – to ensure the website works well with other systems. 
• Hardware security testing – when required. 

Together, these tests make the certification much bigger than just security testing. That’s why partial testing cannot be equated with full certification.

Why eVoting Needs Full STQC Certification, Not Just Security Testing

eVoting is not like browsing a shopping website or reading the news. In eVoting, every single vote matters. A small loophole in security or functionality can lead to massive consequences.

For voters and organizations, the stakes are high:

• A hacked system can manipulate results.
• A poorly designed interface can confuse voters and discourage participation.
• Dark patterns in design which are deceptive user interface designs that can manipulate consumers into making unwanted choices
• Lack of compliance can make the election results legally invalid. 

That’s why only a full STQC Certified Quality Website certification is meaningful in the context of eVoting.

Right2Vote has gone through the entire process, passed all tests, and earned the certificate. Not once, but three times in 7 years. That’s why we proudly say: we are genuinely certified by STQC for eVoting.

Why Customers Often Get Misled by Fake or Partial Certificates

Customers often don’t know the difference between:

• Full STQC certification (CQW for eVoting) 
• Partial STQC testing (like only security or performance testing) 
• Fraud claims with no certification at all 

This confusion benefits companies that have only partial testing or fake claims. They showcase their limited certificate and market themselves as “STQC Certified.”

That’s why customers must always check the official STQC-certified list before trusting any platform.

Right2Vote’s Edge: Real STQC Certified Quality Website for eVoting

Right2Vote is one of the very few companies in India to hold a genuine STQC Certified Quality Website certification for eVoting.

• We didn’t just do one test; we passed the entire process.
• We underwent multiple audits, both technical and process-related.
• Most importantly, we are officially listed on the STQC website under certified products.

This makes Right2Vote’s certification authentic, valid and trustworthy.

Don’t Fall for Shortcuts, Trust Only Genuine STQC Certification

In the digital world, especially in something as sensitive as voting, certification is not just a badge, it is proof of trust. Many companies try to mislead customers by showcasing partial testing or fake certificates. But when it comes to eVoting, only a genuine STQC Certified Quality Website certificate matters.

At Right2Vote, we are proud to be one of the very few platforms in India with this certification. Our customers can rest assured that when they use Right2Vote, they are using a platform that has been tested, validated and certified at the highest level by the Government of India’s own STQC body.

So next time someone tells you they are “STQC Certified,” ask them:

• Are you certified for Certified Quality Website (CQW)? 
• Is your name on the official STQC certified list? 

If the answer is no, then you know the truth.

Because when it comes to elections, shortcuts are dangerous. At Right2Vote, we don’t take shortcuts; we take the full road to trust.

To know more about Right2Vote’s election technology, please refer:

• Government of India certificates
• Features for eVoting
• Security and safety
• Pricing
• Our customers
• Contact Us