Revolutionizing the Voting Process: The Significance of Implementing an Online Voting System Using Blockchain Technology
With the world advancing at an exponential rate, it’s time to look for better ways to enhance systems we’ve relied on for centuries. One of those is the voting process, which has evolved very little since its inception. The idea of a one day, in-person vote may seem archaic in a world where the internet has become a significant part of our lives. This is where the implementation of an online voting system using blockchain technology becomes an essential consideration.
What is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology is a method of creating a digital ledger of authorized, sequenced and combined synchronization blocks that are connected with cryptography, creating a secure and unalterable record. It’s a decentralized system of record-keeping, which makes information stored on it tamper-proof. Because of these properties, blockchain technology has been employed in various sectors like finance, logistics, and increasingly in voting systems.
How Blockchain Technology Benefits the Voting System
The voting process faces many challenges, with the most significant being the vulnerability to manipulation. In-person voting involves the use of ballots and printed records, creating a chance for manipulation by using counterfeit votes. An online voting system using blockchain technology can significantly reduce this risk. This technology ensures that every voter has a unique ID with access to a secure voting platform that can identify, authenticate and record actions on the online voting system securely. Information on a blockchain-powered voting system cannot be modified or deleted, which makes the results unalterable.
Improving Efficiency and Accessibility with Online Voting
The traditional voting process involves queuing, paperwork, and lengthy manual counting, which can delay results. However, online voting expedites the process and makes it more efficient. Voters can access the voting platform using their mobile devices or computers, making the process more accessible, particularly for people with disabilities.
Case Studies on the Use of Blockchain Technology in Voting
In West Virginia, during the 2018 mid-term election, the state tested a blockchain-enabled mobile voting platform to enable military personnel serving overseas to vote. The system proved to be a success, and a total of 144 military servicemen voted using the app. Since then, the State has embraced blockchain technology and has implemented it in other sectors.
In Switzerland, the use of blockchain technology in voting systems has already gained acceptance among citizens. In 2019, a Swiss canton (a territorial division) used a blockchain-powered e-voting platform to enable citizens to vote securely and with ease, becoming the first country in the world to allow online voting using blockchain technology.
Conclusion
Using blockchain technology to revolutionize the voting process is not just a step in the right direction but a game-changer for how we manage voting systems. The implementation of an online voting system using blockchain technology will enhance the security, create an efficient system, and make it more accessible for every eligible citizen. With the recent successes of blockchain-powered voting systems in various countries worldwide, it’s time almost all countries implement it and follow suit.
