A Secure Internet-based voting system for low ICT resourced countries

Abstract

Internet voting is currently one of the most intensely debated subjects in information communication technology that would deliver a free and fair election. The study moves to propose secure Internet based voting system. The product of the study is a secure web-based system that would enable remote voting with capability to allow a voter to independently verify his vote was used in the final tally. As for regions in countries with low ICT resources and whose accessibility is difficult, election processes have not been conducted to the satisfaction of the voters due to unwarranted delays in the processing of votes pausing high risks that could lead to wrong tarrying and declaration of the final results. Quantitative data was collected from respondents through a questionnaire about a desired system that would solve remote - inaccessible regions particularly in low ICT resourced countries. The system was developed basing on the derived system requirements and using the Microsoft.NET Framework using Visual Studio.NET and MS SQL Server 2000 as the relational database management system (RDBMS). Interface pages for the system clients (for example, voter) were achieved through HTML for data interchange over the secure WEB. An 128-bit encryption algorithm was implemented to ensure end-to-end votes security. The results from the system indicate that final votes tally and results to a large extend cannot be disputed. And only authorized systems users can use the system as per roles. The system can be a stimulant for further development and research especially those interested in the subject.