Security in electronic voting systems is an extremely relevant issue in the context of modern democracies, as technological advances have brought with it a revolution in the way societies conduct their elections. However, the use of these new technologies raises significant questions regarding cybersecurity and the protection of voter will. With the increasing adoption of technology in elections comes the need for integrity and reliability of electoral processes.
What is electronic voting?
Electronic voting has been an option increasingly adopted by governments around the world to modernize and streamline the electoral process. It is a method of voting in which voters record their votes through electronic systems, usually on electronic devices such as electronic ballot boxes, computers or mobile devices. This system replaces the traditional use of paper ballots and manual marking to record votes and promises greater efficiency in counting votes and reporting results.
Operation
Electronic voting systems are used in countries around the world for citizens to vote quickly and securely in elections and referendums. Although the specific details may vary according to the country and the system used, in general, the operation of electronic voting systems follows steps considered to be key. See what they are below:
Voting Machine Access: On Election Day, voters are directed to an electronic voting machine, which can be a computer, dedicated voting machine, or similar device. Electronic identification is used to access the machine and the voting process is started.
Auditing and Verification: Many electronic voting systems have auditing and verification mechanisms in place to ensure the integrity of the results. This includes performing internal audits, comparing electronic results to paper records, or other forms of cross-validation.
Voter Registration and Authentication: Before voting, voters need to be registered in the system. It is usually done in advance, and voters are given some type of electronic ID or token for authentication.
Vote Confirmation: Prior to finalizing the voting process, voters have the opportunity to review their choices to verify that they are correct. In some systems, this may involve printing a paper ballot with the vote recorded, for auditing or manual recounting purposes.
Counting and transmission of votes: As soon as the voter confirms the vote, the data is recorded electronically and stored in a secure database. In some implementations, results are transmitted to a central tally center over a secure network.
Selection of Candidates or Options: Voters have the option to choose candidates or voting options on their electronic ballot. Depending on the system, this can be done by tapping the screen, pressing buttons, or using other interaction methods..
It is worth noting that security and transparency are fundamental aspects of electronic voting systems. Systems must be designed to protect voting privacy, ensure that only authorized voters are able to vote, and prevent manipulation of results. Still, cybersecurity and the possibility of attacks or fraud have led some countries to question or reconsider the use of these systems. Therefore, it is imperative that electronic voting systems are constantly improved and updated in order to ensure their effectiveness and integrity.
Some Risks
Below are some of the main risks included in electronic voting systems:
Public trust: Public trust in the integrity of the voting system is paramount to the legitimacy of elections. Any failure or suspicion of manipulation could undermine voters' confidence in the electoral process.
Costs: Implementing and maintaining electronic voting systems can be costly, especially for countries or regions with limited financial resources.
Audit Difficulty: In many electronic voting systems, there is no 100% effective way to independently audit the results. This means that, in case of suspected fraud, it is difficult to carry out a complete and reliable verification.
Technical failures: Electronic voting machines are electronic devices subject to technical failures. Problems such as crashes, software or hardware errors can occur, leading to the interruption of the voting process or even the loss of votes.
Lack of transparency: Electronic voting can be criticized for not being fully reliable. The lack of access to the source code of the software used in the electronic voting machines prevents citizens from personally verifying the integrity of the system.
No paper trail: Some electronic voting systems do not provide a paper record for every vote recorded. This can make it even more difficult to manually audit and verify the results in case of doubts or disputes.
Need for experts: Implementing and maintaining electronic voting systems requires experts in cybersecurity and programming, which can be challenging for some regions with limited resources.
Cybersecurity: One of the main risks is the possibility of cyberattacks aimed at manipulating or compromising election results. Hackers can try to exploit vulnerabilities in voting machines, data transmission systems or the servers that store the results.
Electronic voting is a complex issue, and each country has its own security procedures, making the process fair. Civic engagement and the active participation of citizens in monitoring and overseeing the electoral process are also important for a credible democratic system.
While electronic voting systems have evolved over the years, it is important to recognize that no solution is completely foolproof. Security must be a constant priority, and innovation is essential in combating ever-evolving threats. Election authorities, governments, cybersecurity experts, technology manufacturers and civil society need to work together to develop more robust and resilient systems.
Furthermore, transparency and accountability must be promoted at all levels, ensuring that any vulnerabilities are promptly identified and corrected. Only through a concerted effort and an unwavering commitment to security can the integrity and reliability of electronic voting systems be assured in the future.