Election Technology
Elections have been a cornerstone of democracy for ages, and with the rapid technological changes, the way elections are conducted has transformed significantly. From paper ballots to electronic voting machines (EVMs) to online voting solutions, election technology is continuously evolving with time to increase accessibility, transparency and efficiency. Whether in democratic countries or non-democratic countries, election technology plays a crucial role in shaping the future of governance.
India: A leader of Election Technology
India, The world’s largest democracy, is a pioneer when it comes to using technology in elections. The country conducts elections on a massive scale, with around 1 billion eligible voters. To ensure the integrity and efficiency of elections, India has employed a range of technologies:
Paper ballots
India’s first general elections were held in 1951–1952, marking the introduction of paper ballot voting. Voters could mark their selection on a piece of paper and place it in a ballot box using this easy-to-use approach. For a majorly illiterate population, paper ballots guaranteed familiarity and transparency. Booth capturing, ballot stuffing, lengthy counting periods, and expensive printing were some of their major disadvantages. Invalid votes and manual errors were also frequent. The switch to electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the early 2000s was brought on due to these limitations, which resulted in inefficiencies and security issues.
EVMs
The inefficiencies of paper ballots were addressed in India in the early 2000s with the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). By lowering the number of invalid votes, expediting result declarations, and removing manual counting errors, they simplified the voting process. Despite numerous security safeguards in place, opposition parties and losing candidates have continuously expressed worries about the potential for EVM hacking and tampering. To enhance transparency and voter confidence, India introduced the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, which provides a paper record of the votes cast, allowing for physical verification in case of disputes.
VVPAT
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an election technology introduced in India to enhance transparency and accountability in voting. It works alongside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by generating a paper slip displaying the voter’s choice, allowing them to verify their selection. This system was introduced after concerns about EVM security, with opposition parties alleging the possibility of tampering and hacking of EVM.
When you cast your vote in the General Election 2024, you definitely experienced the VVPAT system in action. After selecting your candidate on the EVM, a VVPAT slip appeared behind a transparent screen, displaying your choice for 7 seconds before automatically dropping into a sealed compartment. This ensures that your vote is accurately recorded without any tampering. These slips are securely stored and can be manually verified in case of disputes, further strengthening election transparency and ensuring that every vote is counted fairly.
United States: Innovating with Hybrid Voting Solutions
In the United States, elections are managed at the state and local level, where each state determines its own voting method. The country displays a mix of traditional and modern technologies.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Voting Systems
In the United States, States differ in their priorities for accessibility and security, which is reflected in the deployment of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). To update their voting procedures, Georgia and Pennsylvania, for example, have made large investments in these electronic systems. California, on the other hand, has chosen to continue using paper ballots in an effort to strengthen election security by lowering the risks related to electronic voting.
Blockchain Technology
In 2018, West Virginia was the first to implement a blockchain-based trial program that allowed military members who work abroad to vote remotely. An important step toward incorporating blockchain technology into the voting process was taken with this effort, which permitted eligible voters to cast their ballots through a smartphone application. This pilot paved the way for future blockchain-based solutions in US elections, despite conflicting opinions.
Online and Absentee Voting
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online voting systems, particularly for absentee and mail-in ballots. Many states have implemented secure online portals allowing voters to request absentee ballots and monitor their voting status, thereby enhancing accessibility and voter participation during challenging times.
United Kingdom: Paper Ballots and Digital Assistance
The UK continues to rely primarily on paper ballots but has introduced digital tools to streamline the election process.
Electronic Polling Station Systems
While the UK primarily uses paper ballots for voting, some polling stations are equipped with electronic systems to assist with the counting process. These systems help speed up the tallying process and ensure the accuracy of results.
Online Voting Trials
The UK has experimented with online voting in local elections. In the 2002 Swindon Borough Council election, over 10% of voters cast their ballots via the internet. Similarly, during the 2007 Rushmoor Borough Council election, 6,600 voters registered for online voting. However, Due to cybersecurity and voter privacy concerns, nationwide adoption has not occurred.
Brazil: Pioneering in Electronic Voting
Brazil is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to the adoption of electronic voting. Since the 1990s, Brazil has used electronic voting machines for its elections, making it one of the largest countries to rely on digital voting.
Brazil’s EVMs are a significant success, used in both local and national elections. The machines are known for their security and speed in counting votes, ensuring results are available quickly after the polls close.
The Future of Election Technology
The future of election technology holds exciting prospects. Advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning and online voting could offer solutions to security and transparency issues. Countries will likely continue to adopt hybrid models, combining digital and traditional methods to ensure accessibility, security, and efficiency.
Online elections are the way of the future because they provide a safe, convenient, reliable, and affordable substitute over conventional voting procedures. The biggest advantage of online elections is that it enables voters to vote from anywhere. This ensures nobody is denied the right to vote.
Countries looking to upgrade to online voting should use Right2Vote’s online voting platform. Right2Vote is a Government of India-approved eVoting platform. It has been tested, certified and approved by the Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Directorate (STQC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It is also approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India. Right2Vote has been facilitating secure, transparent and efficient online elections for more than 10 years and manages more than 3000 elections every year.
As election technology progresses, the primary challenge will be to ensure that it remains secure, transparent, and trustworthy. Public confidence in the electoral process is important for democracy, and technology will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining that trust. Whether in the world’s largest democracies or more authoritarian regimes, the role of technology in elections will only increase, shaping the future of governance globally. Online voting will not be limited to election of representatives. Online voting would also be used for direct democracy. International organizations like the United Nations, and WHO are also expected to upgrade to secured online voting in future.
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