A conceptual model for designing and implementation Ofsecure and trustableremote electronic voting systems within the developing world

Abstract

The use of electronic voting systems (EVS’s) is seen as an alternative to traditional manual voting because it aims at increasing efficiency, lowering cost of running election, reducing counting mistakes and improving the accuracy of the results. This has led to electronic voting systems being adopted in most countries to replace traditional paper-based voting systems. Currently, Botswana uses a traditional paper-based voting system. This method of voting comes with several challenges. These challenges include delays in counting of votes and counting errors due to manual counting, a high number of spoilt votes due to wrong markings, and delays in the declaration of election results. These have resulted in voters losing confidence in the current system thus leading to poor voter turnout. This study therefore explores the feasibility of introducing and implementing of e-voting in Botswana. This study adopted a mixed method to collect and analyze data using purposive sampling technique to consciously select specific respondents, so as to gain insight from them and an in-depth understanding of complex experiences or events. This technique was used to select and administer questionnaires to IEC officers and voters. The results indicate that respondents have a positive perception towards introduction and implementation of remote e-voting in Botswana.They further indicated that introducing an evoting system will bring several benefits such as improved voting process, reduced chances of voting fraud, eliminate counting errors, as well as reduce delays in counting and publishing of results. The majority of respondents have indicated that they are willing to use an e-voting system compared to a traditional paper-based voting system. The outcome of this research’s findings would form a basis for appropriate recommendation for introduction and implementation of e-voting in Botswana.