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