Governance for the people of any country is executed by the democratically elected party through the voting process. Earlier the paper ballot voting system was used manually, which was later substituted by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)... more
Governance for the people of any country is executed by the democratically elected party through the voting process. Earlier the paper ballot voting system was used manually, which was later substituted by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in India. This mechanism has been suspected by some people and the possibilities of tampering in process cannot be ruled out. Every citizen of the country gradually expects to introduce the user-friendly, flexible, cost-effective, transparent, accurate, reliable, robust, and secure voting system in the twenty-first century using the latest concepts of emerging Blockchain technology by building Next-Generation Electoral system. It can save time, reduce cost and electoral fraud, increase voter privacy, and remove a lot of hurdles in the voting process on a secured platform, thereby increasing voter involvement and participation. The paper comprises of general evaluation of the current voting mechanism and proposes an effective and viable alternative model using Blockchain technology. This paper also provides a comparison of various prequalified criteria comprising of costing, timing, security, transparency, audit of voting process, and risk factors involved.
What happens when a constitutional body entrusted with conducting fair and transparent elections of the largest democracy in the world comes under intense scanner? This research study depicts the transformation in the process of... more
What happens when a constitutional body entrusted with conducting fair and transparent elections of the largest democracy in the world comes under intense scanner? This research study depicts the transformation in the process of conducting elections in India. A comprehensive study exhibiting the journey from archaic voting process involving ballot papers to the latest electronic voting machines. But as serious doubts have been casted even on the technological soundness of these electronic machines especially keeping in mind that various advanced countries have junked these machines and preferred ballot papers, a debate ensued in India to replace the same with the traditional method of ballot papers. However disregarding all these allegations, Election Commission of India has moved a step ahead and announced to introduce these electronic voting machines with voter verifiable paper audit trail, a method providing feedback to the voters verifying if their vote has gone to the intended candidate. This method will eliminate the chances of electronic voting machines getting tampered and will immensely restore the confidence of the voter in the electoral system making his vote count in the real sense.
The world’s largest democracy has adopted electoral reforms in Assembly as well as Parliamentary elections. Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has replaced the paper ballot system. However, there are serious concerns being raised with... more
The world’s largest democracy has adopted electoral reforms in Assembly as well as Parliamentary elections. Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has replaced the paper ballot system. However, there are serious concerns being raised with regards to the credibility and reliability of the EVM’s. This resulted in Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) being attached to the EVM, which was found to be unverifiable and non-auditable. The primary focus of this paper is to provide a comparison between Ballot Paper Voting System and EVM highlighting the various challenges of the existing electoral system. This paper provides an insight into Block chain technology, its impact and revolution it can bring in the field of Electoral reforms in India. The comparison parameters like Time, Cost, Transparency, Risk factor, Verification/Auditing process, Authentication etc. are considered for evaluation of the different methodology discussed.
