[Fsf-friends] e-voting: secret ballot vs. open ballot

Ramanraj K ramanraj.k@gmail.com
Mon Mar 28 06:14:42 IST 2005


There may be a need to keep a careful watch over the activities of the 
Election Commission that is planning to bring in e-voting.  Already, the 
electronic voting machines have "security" through "obscurity". Those  
who developed the EVMs claim that the device is very secure, but we have 
to take their word for granted, and there has been no public disclosure 
about the technical aspects of its security. Internet based e-voting is 
more dangerous given the element of secrecy ingrained in the political 
process.

 The paper ballot is the only secure, workable and verifiable solution 
for a secret ballot.  

If people seriously desire to use Internet or other electronic devices 
for counting votes, then they should reform the electoral process so 
that the element of "secrecy" in voting is taken away, introducing the 
open ballot system.  There is nothing wrong in voting openly.  What does 
the voting electorate have to fear: that goons will wait over their 
shoulders and victimise if they don't vote in their favour?  That cannot 
be a reason because political parties, and their agents openly declare 
their idealogies, and seem to be doing well in our country, and don't 
seem to be suffering any such dangers.  Getting open about our voting 
preferences is needed to enable voting accountable though electronic 
means that work better with openness.  The minute the voter declares his 
vote openly at the booth, the agents can count, and supervise the 
electronic registers.  It will also do away with "invalid votes".  Open 
ballot alone can bring in accountability for electronic voting methods - 
evm's, internet or anything else that cannot possibly leave a "secure" 
trail behind.  If bringing in openness in voting is not liked, then 
there is point in using evms or internet to count votes.

BTW, "e-vot-ing" in Tamil, means chasing away e's (flies :) in jobless 
idling, and e-voting is sure to be a pointless idle exercise in 
frustration, with none knowing how it helps. e-voting sometimes has a 
close connection with "e-mailing" also :)




More information about the Fsf-friends mailing list