Brazilian Voting Authority might include Blockchain Technology in Future Elections - Blockchain Adoption


Imagine what would happen if the voting process is completely transparent, there is no central authority controlling it, the ledger could not be changed, voter's identification remains private, and the voting method itself remains completely visible.
Currently, the government using ballot box voting, or
electronic voting systems are vulnerable and leads to threats, manipulation,
DDoS attacks, and other security risks. A significant amount of paperwork,
labour, and time are also required. Therefore, having an electronic voting
system can help to some extent in resolving issues. This has already been
implemented in other nations.
However, in an online election or voting system, end
users must supply their private information, such as ID proofs, which is
subject to misuse or breach because central processing organizations have
complete authority over all of these private facts. Security, privacy, and
transparency are still in doubt in such a situation. Blockchain technology can
help with this.
Blockchain technology is quickly gaining popularity.
It is widely used in a variety of applications, healthcare, payments, business,
supply chain management systems including voting and balloting technology.
The Brazilian voting authority revealed last month
that it was looking into several applications for blockchain technology in the
voting process. It lessens the possibility of any mistakes, fraud, or other
interference with the voting process.
Brazil starts the research on the use of blockchain technology for future elections :
Recently, The Brazil voting authority may adopt blockchain technology in future elections. They have been researching how blockchain technology might be used to organize voting ballots. A new Brazilian research program called "Elections of the future" will use blockchain technology.
The system is protected by an element known as immutability if the system is coupled with Blockchain. It should be decentralized such that other nodes can continue to function even if one node experiences an issue without having to wait for that node to recover.
End-to-end voting protocol, post-quantum
cryptography, shared keys, and blockchain are some of the important
technologies being examined as part of the "Elections of the Future"
program, according to Celio Castro Wermerlinger, the coordinator of
modernization at the Brazilian voting authority. The main aim is to build a right
voting infrastructure that is efficient and economically more viable and more transparency
and secure.
However, there is currently no timelines for the implementation
of blockchain, thus this is just research. And Celio Castro Wermerlinger
asserted that Brazil's current electoral system is secure.
Decentralized Voting System using Blockchain
technology :
This Blockchain-based system will deal with problems
like data misuse and breaches. Because it allows the end user control over
their personal data. This increases confidence in the entire voting process and
increases transparency across the entire process. Additionally, the suggested
system will immediately publish the results of the vote.
All transactions are validated and securely kept on
the blockchain network due to blockchain technology, which enables secure
management of public/private ledgers. The voter must present their credentials
in order to cast their ballot. A transaction is then stored that contains all
of the data that has been encrypted.
The network's nodes then verify this transaction
after it has been broadcast to all of them. The transaction is included in a
block and added to the chain if the network approves it. A block cannot be
changed once it is added to the chain. Users can now see results and, if they
so want, look backward in time on transactions.
Voting has not been extensively implemented outside
of a few pilot tests undertaken in the U.S. and events in other countries,
despite being identified as one of the potential applications of blockchain
systems because of the trust and security it might provide.
One of the industry's pioneers, Voatz, a blockchain-based voting startup, assisted West Virginians who resided outside of the state in voting in the 2018 election using their smartphones. However, this pilot has drawn criticism because of the security risks it may pose to the voting results. In 2020, state authorities banned its use due to security issues.

Indrani bose
CBW - External Analyst
INDIA